Concordia Sagittaria

A stay in Caorle also means immersing yourself in the history and culture of artistic cities, such as Concordia Sagittaria (20 km from us), an important Paleo-Venetian centre which in 42 b.C. became a Roman colony which went by the name of Iulia Concordia.

With the threat of barbaric invasions, the colony in the 3rd century A.D. became a stronghold thanks to the establishment of an arrow factory; these arrows were called "sagittae".

Only around the 11th century did it re-establish itself as a real town, a fief and a Diocesan seat dependent on the Patriarch of Aquileia.

Amongst the monuments of that time that are worthy of mention, we should remember the Romanic-Byzantine Baptistery with its well-preserved fresco and adjacent bell tower.

Here is our archaeological proposal: we start with the Museum rooms of the sixteenth century Municipal Palazzo of Via Roma; on the ground floor there is an interesting and clear map which reconstructs the Roman city ad highlights the visitable sites. Admire the different artefacts from the necropolis and residential areas of the ancient city, such as the sundial. Entry is free. The rooms are open on Saturday and Sunday; the other days, you can only visit upon booking by contacting this number +39 0421 270360 or the email address comune@comune.concordiasagittaria.ve.it

• First stop: Via Claudia. Turn into Via delle Terme; there you will see a section of the town walls and the ruins of a thermal complex. Continuing the trail, you reach the mosaics of Signini's domus (house) in the park that goes by the same name, and two Roman wells which lend their name to the street itself.
• Second stop: Signini Park. When crossing the park, a hedge of boxwood indicates the excavation of the ancient theatre; from here, you can reach the Roman Bridge in Via San Pietro with three partially-preserved arches.
• Third stop: Celso Costantini Square. Beneath the Cathedral of Santo Stefano, you can visit the Paleo-Christian complex dating back to the 4th century which includes the Trichora, with annexed funerary fenced areas and a paved yard, and the Basilica Apostolorum Maior, with a mosaic flooring. On the north side of the area, you can see a section of the consular Roman road, Via Annia, which has been perfectly preserved. Here's something good to know: by purchasing an entry ticket to the archaeological area, you can also visit the Concordia Museum in Portogruaro over the course of a month.
  Here is the route recommended by the Cultural Heritage Agency (Italian version).
• Fourth and last stop: the Romanic-Byzantine baptistery. It is located near the medieval bell tower and is the only example of the 11th century to preserve the original pictorial decorations.

And if you are still not tired, just know that numerous artefacts found during the excavation campaigns are exhibited even in the Concordia National Archaeological Museum in Portogruaro which from Concordia Sagittaria is easily reachable even on foot thanks to a cycling-pedestrian trail along river Lemene.