The recognition arrived in 1998, but its history goes back more than a thousand years. Twenty-five years ago the inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Site gave way to the rebirth of Aquileia - among the largest and most flourishing urban centers of the Roman Empire - and its extraordinary archaeological area, the most complete example of an ancient Roman city survived in the Mediterranean territories. But Aquileia is an endless race: from excavations to the valorisation of its wonders, the Friulian site welcomes ever new challenges. It will stop for three days from 5 to 7 December to celebrate its first quarter of a century in the UNESCO World Heritage, and then set off again towards further goals, such as that of 2030, when the thousandth anniversary of the foundation of the famous Patriarchal Basilica, or of the 2025, when nearby Gorizia will be European Capital of Culture together with Nova Gorica.
 
On 5, 6 and 7 December 2023, an important conference will celebrate the 25 years of the UNESCO site of Aquileia: an opportunity to take stock of the situation, establish new collaborations and develop the recipes of the future. The event will be introduced by an evocative musical moment in the Patriarchal Basilica with the discanti, sacred songs of the ancient liturgy of Aquileia which have come down to us through illuminated manuscripts from the 13th century. This will be followed by greetings from the institutions and the opening toast with the excellent wines of the area.


Aquileia, Basilica Patriarcale. Foto G. Baronchelli
 
It will be a day of choral participation, which will see the Aquileia Foundation, the Municipality of Aquileia, the Region, the Superintendence and Museum Management of Friuli Venezia Giulia in the front row, but also the cultural associations and businesses of the territory, alongside the UNESCO Office of the Ministry of Culture , the University of Udine and to protagonists of culture and archeology coming from other geographical contexts.


Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Aquileia | Courtesy of Fondazione Aquileia 

There are many topics on the table that will be discussed in the spaces of the ancient Ca' Tullio winery: from heritage valorization strategies to new directions in archaeological research, from museum education to inclusion and the role of digital technologies. Dedicated round tables will then investigate the perspectives opened up by the Itineraries of the Council of Europe, with the examples of the Route of the Phoenicians or the Route of Cyril and Methodius, and the opportunities of slow tourism, including cultural itineraries, trekking and religious routes, without forgetting the successful format of historical re-enactments.

The opportunities for discussion will be fundamental: with the experiences of the archaeological sites of Mont'e Prama, Barumini, Canosa and RavennAntica, and with the network of UNESCO sites in Friuli Venezia Giulia, with a view to a common path towards GO!2025 for Gorizia European Capital of Culture.


 Aquileia, Foro romano | Foto: © G. Baronchelli | Courtesy Fondazione Aquileia