Pordenone
The Italian Capital of Culture 2027: painted palaces along the Corso and the frescoes of Il Pordenone, also in nearby Villanova.
Tour details
Guided tour
Grado
The island of the sun, between early Christian mosaics and the sea
About 2 hoursFriuli Venezia Giulia
Grado was the sea port of Aquileia and became its refuge when invasions swept the mainland. Its compact old town, with narrow calli and little squares as in Venice, still follows the shape of the ancient castrum, while a Habsburg-era seaside resort grew up around it, earning the nickname Isola del Sole, the island of the sun.
The story
The basilica of Sant'Eufemia, consecrated in 579, is the heart of the old town. Its mosaic floor, columns and ambo tell of the centuries when Grado was the seat of patriarchs. Beside it stand the octagonal baptistery and the basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
We wander through calli and campielli where fishermen's houses lean towards each other, past the harbour with its colourful boats, and follow the old walls of the castrum.
Then we walk towards the garden city and the seafront, where the Austro-Hungarian spa resort grew up in the late 19th century, still the place for a stroll at sunset.
In pictures
What we'll see
- Basilica of Sant'EufemiaA 6th-century basilica with mosaic floors and a precious ambo.
- Baptistery and Santa Maria delle GrazieEarly Christian buildings beside the cathedral.
- The old townCalli and campielli in the shape of the ancient castrum.
- Harbour and seafrontFishing boats, the lagoon and the Habsburg-era promenade.
A taste of Grado
Grado's signature dish is boreto alla graisana, a peppery fish stew served with white polenta. Pair it with a glass of Malvasia.
Ready to discover Grado?
Tell me your dates and group size, and I'll shape the visit around you. It can also be combined with a winery or another town on the same day.
More places to explore
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Sacile
A small town of Venetian palaces reflected in the Livenza river, once called the garden of the Venetian Republic.
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San Daniele del Friuli
The town of the famous prosciutto, with the Guarneriana library and the frescoes of Sant'Antonio Abate, plus an optional ham tasting.
Tour details