On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026, Aquileia will host the third edition of the historical reenactment "Aquileia Splendida Civitas": the town will step back into the 4th century AD for two days packed with activities led by over one hundred reenactors, including engaging hands-on demonstrations in the Roman camp, ancient dances, gladiatorial games and immersive performances bringing an important chapter of Aquileia's Roman history to life. The event is organized by Fondazione Aquileia, in collaboration with the Municipality of Aquileia, the Basilica of Aquileia, SABAP for Friuli Venezia Giulia, Pro Loco Aquileia and the Legio VI Ferrata Association.
PROGRAM
📅 SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2026
10.00 am – 1.00 pm and 3.30 pm – 6.00 pm
📍 Archaeological area of the ancient markets (Fondo Pasqualis)
A look through time: the walls of Aquileia in virtual reality
An immersive experience using VR headsets to explore Aquileia's late-antique defenses and their evolution between the 4th and 5th centuries AD, based on the research the University of Verona is currently conducting in the archaeological area.
10.00 am – 11.00 am
📍Piazza Capitolo
Training and maneuvers of the late antique army
A demonstration of the tactics, formations and combat techniques of the 4th-century Roman army, in an era of major military transformation.
11.00 am – 11.30 am
📍Piazza Capitolo
Gladiator combat and ancient dances
Gladiator fights, reconstructed according to the techniques documented in mosaics and ancient manuals, alternate with striking choreography that recreates the ritual and celebratory movements of the Roman world. [Ars Dimicandi] [Ninuphar Eventi]
11.45 am – 12.45 pm
📍Piazza Capitolo
The taste of history: an archaeo-cooking experience
A tasting experience blending history, archaeology and the lost flavors of Late Antiquity, the result of careful research and historical reconstruction. The recipes are recreated following the indications in Apicius's De re coquinaria and the medical and dietary writings of Oribasius (4th century), Anthimus (6th century) and Aëtius of Amida (6th century). Free participation, mandatory online booking via Eventbrite, until places run out (max 40 participants).
2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
📍 Archery range - Archaeological area of the ancient markets (Fondo Pasqualis)
Ludi Aquileienses: the challenge
One contender from each of the historical reenactment groups present at Aquileia Splendida Civitas will compete in three trials to prove their worth and vie for the "Games of Aquileia" prize. The challenges will consist of:
- Archery
- Plumbata throwing
- Javelin throwing
2.30 pm – 3.30 pm
📍Piazza Capitolo
The taste of history: an archaeo-cooking experience
A tasting experience blending history, archaeology and the lost flavors of Late Antiquity, the result of careful research and historical reconstruction. The recipes are recreated following the indications in Apicius's De re coquinaria and the medical and dietary writings of Oribasius (4th century), Anthimus (6th century) and Aëtius of Amida (6th century). Free participation, mandatory online booking via Eventbrite, until places run out (max 40 participants).
4.00 pm – 4.30 pm
📍Piazza Capitolo
The prelude to the siege of Aquileia: the defeat of the Scourge of God in Gaul
In 451 AD, to halt the devastating advance of Attila and the Huns into Gaul, the Roman general Flavius Aetius forms a strategic alliance with the Visigoths of King Theodoric I. In the bloody Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, the Roman-Visigothic coalition manages to repel the enemy attack, though Theodoric is killed on the field. To avoid excessive Visigothic dominance, Flavius Aetius chooses not to annihilate the Huns entirely and allows them to retreat across the Rhine, securing one last strategic triumph for Rome.
4.30 pm – 5.30 pm
📍Piazza Capitolo
Gladiator combat and ancient dances
Gladiator fights, reconstructed according to the techniques documented in mosaics and ancient manuals, will alternate with striking choreography that recreates the ritual and celebratory movements of the Roman world. [Ludus Aemilius] [Ninuphar Eventi]
5.30 pm – 7.00 pm
📍 Archery range - Archaeological area of the ancient markets (Fondo Pasqualis)
Be an archer for a day!
Guided by the skill of 4th-century archers, visitors can try their hand at archery. No booking required.
📅 SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2026
10.00 am – 12.00 pm
📍 Roman camp, Velarium Legio VI Ferrata - Piazza Patriarcato
Ludus latrunculorum Tournament
Try your hand at the ancient board game popular in Roman times. Played on a board with the strategic use of pieces, Ludus latrunculorum is considered an ancestor of modern chess. Free participation, mandatory booking via Eventbrite (max 20 participants).
Dalle 10.30 alle 11.30
📍 Archery range - Archaeological area of the ancient markets (Fondo Pasqualis)
Be an archer for a day!
Guided by the skill of 4th-century archers, visitors can try their hand at archery. No booking required.
10.30 am – 11.30 am
📍 Archaeological area of the Roman domus (Fondo CAL)
Experiential workshop: ancient dance and poetic storytelling
The experience unfolds as a sensory journey guiding participants into the daily life, ritual gestures and forms of expression that characterized life in the Roman cities of the northern Adriatic. It takes the form of an immersive path combining historical research, dance, storytelling and contemporary sensibility. No prior knowledge is required; the activity offers different levels of engagement so that everyone can find their own way of connecting with Aquileia. [Ninuphar Eventi] Free participation, mandatory online booking via Eventbrite, until places run out (max 50 participants).
11.45 am – 12.15 pm
📍Piazza Capitolo
Gladiator combat
Gladiator fights, reconstructed according to the techniques documented in mosaics and ancient manuals. [Ludus Aemilius]
1.30 pm – 3.00 pm
📍 Archery range - Archaeological area of the ancient markets (Fondo Pasqualis)
Be an archer for a day!
Guided by the skill of 4th-century archers, visitors can try their hand at archery. No booking required.
3.00 pm – 3.45 pm
📍Piazza Capitolo
452: Aquileia e l’assedio di Attila
In 452 AD, Attila and the Huns lay siege to Aquileia, a city defending the borders of the Empire. For three long months, Aquileia resists fiercely, until the king of the Huns, encouraged by an omen — the flight of storks from within the walls — launches the decisive attack. Aquileia is destroyed and plundered. The surviving citizens take refuge in the nearby lagoons, laying the foundations for the future birth of Venice. Yet this is not the end of Aquileia's story.
3.45 pm – 4.30 pm
📍Piazza Capitolo
Gladiator combat and ancient dances
Gladiator fights, reconstructed according to the techniques documented in mosaics and ancient manuals, will alternate with striking choreography that recreates the ritual and celebratory movements of the Roman world. [Ars Dimicandi] [Ninuphar Eventi]
ROMAN CAMP AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OPEN
📍 Roman camp - Piazza Patriarcato
📅 SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 - 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
📅 SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 - 10.00 am to 4.30 pm
- 4th-century gladiator armor, inspired by the mosaic from Tusculum - Galleria Borghese [Ars Dimicandi]
- Ancient artillery, board games and objects from the late antique period; drawing activities for children; demonstrations of buckle-making and sundials [Kd Vespesjan]
- Roman-era games [Suodales]
- History, weaponry and religion of the Goths [Sippe Ulfson]
- Infantry of the late imperial Roman army: the Auxiliae Palatinae [Sippe Ulfson]
- Fashion of Roman women [Sippe Ulfson]
- The art of mosaic [Soreli Jevât]
- 4th-century military clothing and equipment [Suodales]
- Roman writing [Suodales] [Numerus Italorum]
- Clothing and status: the dress of Germanic peoples [Suodales]
- Travel in antiquity: journeys in the Ancient world [Suodales]
- Social hierarchy, equipment and weaponry of the Goths [Errelab]
- The history of music in ancient Roman times [Legio VI Ferrata]
- The art of weaving [Errelab]
- Spies of antiquity: the figure of the Roman frumentarius [Legio VI Ferrata]
- Dice and knucklebone games for children and adults [Errelab]
- The evolution of the late imperial army: throwing weapons [Legio VI Ferrata]
- Gladiators and their world: reading the archaeological finds [Ludus Aemilius]
- Toys and everyday life of children in ancient Rome [Archeo cucina]
- Ancient diet [Sunday only] [Archeo cucina]
📍 Archery range - Archaeological area of the ancient markets (Fondo Pasqualis)
📅 SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2026
10.00 am – 7.00 pm
- Archery in antiquity and its various shooting techniques [Ars Avxilia Legionis] 11.30 am – 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm – 7.00 pm
- Roman scorpio and manuballista [Kd Vespesjan]
- Javelin throwing [Insubria Antiqua]
📅 SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2026
10.00 am to 4.30 pm 10.00 am – 4.30 pm
- Archery in antiquity and its various shooting techniques [Ars Avxilia Legionis] 10.00 am – 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
- Roman scorpio and manuballista [Kd Vespesjan]
- Javelin throwing [Insubria Antiqua]
