Aquileia
In the marshy, coastal lowlands east of Venezia lies the ancient Roman city of Aquileia. Founded in AD 181, Aquileia soon grew to be the fourth largest city in ancient Italy and eventually became a patriarchal seat. Theodore, one of Aquileia’s first bishops, built the city’s Basilica Patriarcale in 313, paving the floor with a decorative carpet of mosaics. Seven centuries later, the church was remodeled by Patriarch Poppone, and so these intricate works of art became concealed for nearly a millennium. At the beginning of the 20th century, the ancient mosaic pavement was discovered below the nave floor and is thought to be the earliest surviving remnant of any Christian church.
The designs incorporate both Christian and pagan symbols, including animals, birds, trees, flowers, and geometric patterns. Panels represent allegorical scenes, such as the cock fighting the tortoise, as well as portraits of religious figures. The biblical story of Jonah and the Whale is illustrated with numerous sea creatures, its fish motif alluding to the city’s proximity to the Adriatic Sea. More mosaics were uncovered around the bell tower and are on display in the Cripta degli Scavi.
Spilimbergo
Friuli prides itself on its long history of mosaic artists. From the 16th to 19th centuries, craftsmen from Spilimbergo regularly traveled to work in Venezia, where they consequently got the idea to utilize stones from local rivers. Building on Spilimbergo’s reputation as a hub for mosaics, the Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli was founded there in 1922 by Lodovico Zanini. Today, students attend from all over the world, with 22 nationalities currently being represented.
Numerous pieces by Scuola Mosaicisti artists may be found in countries around the globe, in such diverse venues as churches, royal palaces, office buildings, restaurants, and airports. In the U.S., one of the more well known installations is “Saetta Iridescente” (“Iridescent Lightning“), located in the World Trade Center PATH station in New York City. Other international locations adorned by Spilimbergo mosaics include the Palais Garnier (a.k.a. Paris Opera House), Rome’s fascist-era Foro Italico sports complex, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
