On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 2025, Aquileia will host the second edition of “Aquileia Splendida Civitas”, a historical reenactment set in the 4th century at the time of the Battle of the Frigidus, a decisive moment in Roman history. The event will involve about a hundred reenactors and offer visitors immersive experiences to “live firsthand” the Roman history of Aquileia and its territory. It is promoted by the Fondazione Aquileia as part of the RIMROM project, funded by the European Union through the Small Project Fund GO! 2025 of the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 Program.

Over the two days, a Roman camp will be set up in Piazza Patriarcato along with numerous educational activities, demonstrations, performances and historical entertainment covering various aspects of Roman life: gladiator armor inspired by 4th-century forms, ancient board games, demonstrations of artisanal techniques such as buckle making, the use of sundials, children’s drawing, mosaics, portraiture, Roman topography, Roman law, cuisine, Roman religion from paganism to Christianity, late-antique military and civilian clothing, weaving, ancient writing, and even hands-on experiences with archery, javelin throwing and the use of the plumbata.

On Saturday, the program runs from 10 am to 7 pm with teaching sessions, performances such as gladiatorial combat and dances, religious and civic shows, archery drills, workshops and tastings with “archaeo-cuisine” designed to revive the lost flavors of Late Antiquity (free by reservation, limited seating). On Sunday, the activities continue until early afternoon, culminating in the parade and the historical reenactment of the Battle of the Frigidus: the clash of September 394 between the Christian emperor Theodosius I and the usurper Eugenius, with decisive consequences for the fate of the Roman Empire.

“Aquileia Splendida Civitas” offers not only performances but also a cultural reconstruction that places history, memory, ancient arts and flavors at its core, engaging a wide audience of history enthusiasts, families, school groups and the curious. It provides an opportunity to explore the complexity of Late Antiquity, to witness firsthand the military, religious and artistic transformations of an evolving empire, and to feel the symbolic weight of the places where it all happened. With its extraordinary archaeological heritage, Aquileia becomes a stage not just for preservation but for the experiential revival of an era that left a profound mark on European history.

For more information on the program and schedule: https://www.fondazioneaquileia.it/it/eventi/rievocazione-storica-aquileia-splendida-civitas-ii-edizione