GRADO “THE FIRST BEACH OF THE ADRIATIC”

Briefly about Grado

Grado is a town and comune in the province of Gorizia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, climate and unique atmosphere. The town is located on a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea. Formerly it served as a port center for Aquileia, since the 19th century it has been an important tourist center known as the Sunny Island (“L’Isola del Sole”).

Grado stands out from neighboring cities with its architecture and specific atmosphere. The buildings here are compact, the streets, buildings and monuments have been restored, and the entire historic center is surrounded by the sea. An artificial canal flows through the center of the old town, leading to the marina in the center of Grado.

The city is known for its therapeutic treatments with the therapeutic properties of sand and sea.

Grado over the centuries

  •  Grado, was founded by the Romans as a port serving Aquileia, one of the most important Roman cities in northern Italy. It was a strategic location that protected Aquileia from barbarian invasions.
  • After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, Grado became a place of refuge for the inhabitants of Aquileia fleeing from barbarian invasions. In 452, after the Huns under Attila invaded Aquileia, many of its inhabitants settled in Grado.
  • In the 8th and 9th centuries Grado competed with the developing Venice for dominance over the Adriatic. During this period Grado flourished as a commercial and religious centre.No one in ancient times was aware of the fact that a few centuries later the famous Venice would be built, which would completely eclipse the present resort, and the city would become forgotten for a long time.
  • The city was repeatedly destroyed by barbarian raids and by conflicts with Venice. In the 10th century, Grado declined and its importance declined in favor of Venice.In the 15th century, Grado finally came under the control of the Republic of Venice.The city became an important fishing and trading port under Venetian rule.
  • After the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, Grado came under the rule of the Habsburgs. In the 19th century, it began to develop as a seaside resort, attracting tourists from all over Europe.

Monuments and interesting places in Grado

Spiaggia Principale - the main beach in Grado

Lido di Fido beach

Grado center and the remains of Piazza Vittoria

Spiaggia Principale is the main city beach, which stretches for 3 km. It’s a fully paid beach. The beach offers complete infrastructure. There are showers, changing rooms, bars, restaurants, there is also free wifi. There are lifeguards watching over safety, but the sea here is calm and quite shallow.

On the east side is the beach completely free. Due to the location of Grado on the lagoon after the entrance to the sea is very shallow. You have to move further away from the shore to fully submerge yourself.

The old town was built in the 5th century. On the square next to the town hall, archaeologists have discovered well-preserved ruins, which can be viewed free of charge. You can find here the remains of ancient Roman buildings. Archaeological discoveries include fragments of walls, foundations and other structures that indicate the importance of Grado as an important port and commercial center in Roman times.

Basilica of Saint Euphemia

Port canal in Grado

Civic Library "Falco Marin"

It is one of the most important and oldest temples in Grado, dating back to the 6th century. Built in Byzantine style, the basilica is known for its beautiful mosaic floors depicting geometric patterns and plant motifs. It is also known as the historical seat of the Patriarchs of Grado.

The port canal is not only the heart of Grado’s water transport, but also an important cultural and tourist element of the city. It enables the daily functioning of the fishing industry, and at the same time it is an attractive place for visitors.

 

Civica Library “Falco Marin” was founded to serve the Grado community as a center of knowledge and culture. Its name honors Falco Marina, meaning a figure in the history of local literature and culture.