Grado
A lagoon island settled by refugees from Aquileia, with basilicas of the sixth century still in use.
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When Aquileia fell, its bishops and population moved to this island in the lagoon, and Grado became for a time a patriarchal seat; the basilica of Sant'Eufemia of 579 and the smaller Santa Maria delle Grazie both survive with mosaic floors and early Christian fittings, and a lapidary of sarcophagi sits between them. The old town is a knot of narrow calli around them. From the nineteenth century Grado developed as a sea-bathing resort for the Austrian empire, and it kept that role. Out in the lagoon stand casoni, thatched reed fishermen's huts, some still maintained and used.
What you actually see
- Sant'Eufemia - a basilica of 579 with its mosaic floor intact.
- The lapidary - early Christian sarcophagi between the two churches.
- The casoni - thatched reed huts on lagoon islets.
- The old calli - a compact grid of narrow lanes around the basilicas.
When to go
May to September for the beach and lagoon boats; the island is quiet out of season with many places shut. The Perdon de Barbana boat procession is in early July.
Honest expectations
The resort side is developed and busy in August. Lagoon boat trips are seasonal. Casoni are private and viewed from the water.
Nearby
Aquileia lies inland; Trieste is east.
What to pack for Grado
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.