Archaeologists have unearthed a significant early Christian basilica measuring 37 by 61 meters in Aquileia, Italy, marking a unique find in the Adriatic region. This discovery, made in November 2024, is notable for its Byzantine architectural style, previously identified mainly in the eastern Mediterranean.
Aquileia, established by the Romans in 181 BC, evolved from a military outpost to a crucial port and early Christian center. The site has been under archaeological exploration for over 150 years, with substantial findings documented since the early 20th century.
Stefan Groh from the Austrian Archaeological Institute, in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, belle arti e paesaggio del Friuli Venezia Giulia, initiated geophysical surveys in 2017 to investigate the area. Advanced techniques such as ground-penetrating radar revealed the previously unknown basilica, providing insights into its construction history.
Originally, a small burial structure existed at the site, which transitioned into a church in the 4th century, later expanding into a three-nave basilica. By the 6th century, a Byzantine extension transformed it into a transept basilica, a rare architectural type at the time, characterized by its cross-section and apsidal design.
This basilica represents not just a religious site but also a symbol of Byzantine reconquest under Emperor Justinian I. Its orientation towards Constantinople and Jerusalem indicates a strategic response to the Gothic displacement in the region. Additionally, a protective zigzag wall was constructed during this period.
With dimensions that make it approximately twice the size of contemporary Alpine churches, the Aquileia basilica likely influenced church designs in the region, as seen in the 6th-century Bishop's Church of Teurnia in Carinthia.
While the excavation of the basilica remains uncertain, Groh emphasizes the need for careful coordination with Italian authorities.