B1) GRADO’S LAGOON, AQUILEIA AND VINEYARDS

We are in the upper part of the Adriatic see. From Grado we set off on the discovery of its lagoon, that extends over about 9.000 hectares of land, from the mouth of the Aussa river to the Isonzo river; it is divided into three sectors, each corrisponding to the lagoon mouths of Porto Buso, Grado-Morgo and Primero and it is formed by water ponds and channels wich criss-cross humps and little isles; you can explore it by sea on the hunt for the characteristic “casoni” (humble houses, previously used by local fishermen, with their peculiar straw-roof and entrance door on the West side, in order to get sheltered from the “Bora”, the top-speed wind that originates in Croatia, in a village called Senj, and blows on the whole Adriatic coastline, almost up to Venice), but also by road, along the little roads and paths bordering the fishing ponds, one of the most remarkable economic resources of this area. The long road connecting the island of Grado to the continental land divides the lagoon into an Eastern and Western portion: the Western sector is the most extended one and it’s scattered with little isles, among which Morgo, San Giuliano, Ravaiarina and San Pietro d’Orio. On the Eastern sector, less wide and deep, particolar importance is given to the island of Barbana, site for an old religious sanctuary.

The origins of the lagoon are relatively recent. Until the V century the entire area was composed of continental land, as per the innumerabile prooves of archeological discoveries made in the area, amongst which the roman road, that connected Aquileia to the seaway of Grado, and now entirely flooded and covered with water.

Aquileia was founded in 181 b.C. as per the order of Rome. The capital of the Roman Empire sent about 3000 people, among colons, soldiers and farmers, to our lands, the Eastern tip of the venetian flatland, just a few kilometres off the sea, on the banks of the great Natisone river, which was then flowing in the area and it was navigable. It was originally intended as a front colony against the invasion of the Barbarians, as well as departure point for military conquests, but after some time it became more and more important, thanks to its commerce and the development of a very refined crafmanship. Under Cesare Augusto’s reign it turned into commercial centre between the Danubian area and the Mediterranean and it became one of the major and richer cities in the whole empire, achieving the title of “the second Rome”. During the following centuries, it changed its main funtions and, as soon as Christianism took on, it turned into an ecclesiastical organization, becoming the official site of the High Middle Age Patriarchate of Aquileia in 751. Aquileia’s fascinating history can be experienced by visiting its archeological excavations, which brought to light the river harbour, the markets and elegant houses, the main square and the sephulcrete. The number of items collected in the National Archeological Museum is extremely wide. From the Roman age to Christianity, going through many medioeval rememberances as well, our journey into the past continues in the Patriarchal Basilica and in the Paleochristian Museum. Two archeological areas with mosaics between the I century b.C. ad the IV century A.D. are also to be visited, as well as the Great Mausoleum, hosting the reconstruction of a tumb of an anknown magistrate, dating to the Augustian age (27 b.C. – 14 A.D.). Besides custodying the memory of our past, Aquileia represents also a territory of remarkable wine traditions: already in the Roman times, the area of Aquileia produced and marketed excellent wines; one of those was the “Refosco dal peduncolo rosso” (Pucinum), which is indicated by tradition as the most favourite wine of Livia, emperor Augusto’s second wife. Along the “Wine Road” in Aquileia you can however enjoy some chilly white wines, such as Tocai Friulano, Malvasia, Sauvignon and aromatic Traminer, besides the most classical Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. Our guides will lead you through country roads, fishing ponds and vineyards, such Cà Bolani, searching for hidden beauty corners and food traditions to be experienced