Baptistery
Guida Aquileia
- Location: Baptistery
- E-Mail: basilica.aquileia@virgilio.it
- Phone#: +39 0431 919719
- Opening: From April to September: 9am-7pm
March and October: 9am-6pm
From November to February: 10am-4pm (Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9am to 5pm)
Closures:
December 25 afternoon
January 6: from 2:15pm to about 3pm for the Blessing of Children
All Saturdays: from 5:30pm to 6:45pm for the Vigil Mass
Every Sunday: from 10am to 11:30am
During all religious ceremonies parish not definable schedule (funerals, weddings or special ceremonies) closed 30 minutes before the ceremony - Price: Full rate € 3, reduced ticket € 2,50
The outer baptistery dates from the late 4th century, when the southern post-Theodorian basilica was built. Of its original structure, only the lower half survives. The baptistery was square outside and octagonal inside with semi-circular niches at the corners; three were later closed. Two doors led to the north and south rooms, while a third and larger one in the east opened on to the basilica. The current font is hexagonal. Steps lead into the basin for immersion baptisms, around which column shafts were built later (9th century?). The 1980s excavations revealed an earlier bath that was octagonal, like the baptistery itself.
