The crypt of the excavations
In the crypt are identified archaeological remains of four buildings which have existed during three periods: the Augustan age (mosaic floors of a Roman house mansion), II – III century (remains of the walls of a rectangular port warehouses), fourth century (mosaics and earthenware classroom teodoriana north and the remains of the mosaic of post-teodoriana north).
Beyond the classroom door that connected the cross in the classroom cocciopesto north of Teodoro we can admire the great mosaic: the birds, the donkey, the winged horse, lobster, partridge, the ram, the fight between the rooster and the tortoise, etc..
Some pictures:
The crypt frescoes
The crypt is Maxentian of the ninth century and was built to preserve the relics of the Holy Martyrs of the Church of Aquileia (Ermacora, Fortunato, Grisogono, the brothers Canziani and others), the frescoes, however, date back to the twelfth century.
On the vaults are represented scenes of the apostolate of St. Marco founder, according to tradition, the first Christian community of Aquileia and the episodes of the life of St. Ermacora, the first bishop of the city, and Fortunato, his deacon. On the walls are painted the Crucifixion, the Deposition, the Entombment of Christ and the death of Mary.
On the plumes are represented figures of saints and scenes on the base of chivalry and allegorical content.