There are places where the past is not a faded memory, but a living force that can be felt beneath the skin. Arriving in Concordia Sagittaria means crossing an invisible threshold where time slows down, matching the sinuous rhythm of the Lemene River. Once the beating heart of the Empire under the name of Julia Concordia, this city was built along the strategic Via Annia as an outpost of beauty and ingenuity. Strolling through its squares, you can feel a unique vibrational energy: it is the echo of millennia of life that emerges from the stones. We invite you to forget your watch and let yourself be lulled by the atmosphere of a village that invites you, above all else, to breathe and marvel.

A treasure beneath your feet: the archaeological trail

Concordia Sagittaria is what we like to call a “layered city.” Here, history is not only preserved in museums, but exudes from every stone. Thanks to the sediments brought over the centuries by the floods of the Lemene and Reghena rivers, the Roman remains have been protected by a veil of mud and earth, preserving a heritage where the early Christian era overlaps with the remains of the ancient colony. Walking here literally means walking through the centuries.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Basilica Apostolorum

The journey begins in Piazza Cardinal Costantini, where St. Stephen’s Cathedral hides unexpected secrets. As soon as you enter, take a look at the holy water font on the left: it is a marble fountain dating back to the 1st century AD, once an ornament in a noble private domus, now used for worship. Descending into the archaeological area beneath the churchyard, your gaze is lost among:

The remains of the Basilica Apostolorum (4th century): here you can admire mosaic carpets whose colors are still vivid, with geometric patterns that seem to vibrate in the soft light.
The sacred relics: the basilica was built to house the remains of Saints John the Baptist, Luke, Andrew, Thomas, and John the Evangelist, bringing the prestige of a center of universal faith.
The Trichora Martyrum: a trefoil-shaped building designed to house the relics of the seventy martyrs of Concordia, who died during Diocletian’s persecutions.
The Via Annia and the sarcophagi: you will walk along the cobblestones of the ancient consular road, among commercial warehouses (horrea) and stone sarcophagi that emerge from the darkness of the underground with a moving solemnity.

The Roman bridge and the city gates

The walk continues outdoors, following in the footsteps of the “city of the living.” In Via S. Pietro, you can see the remains of the majestic three-arched Roman bridge over which the Via Annia passed. Continuing towards Via Faustiniana, you will come across Porta Urbis, inaugurated in 2019: a square structure with two aligned arches. From here, you can see a perfectly preserved section of the Roman sewer, an example of engineering that still amazes today for its modernity.

The baptistery: an 11th-century gem

Next to the Cathedral stands the Baptistery of Reginpoto (1089-1105), one of the most intact examples of Romanesque architecture with Byzantine influences in Europe. Its Greek cross plan faces east to guide the faithful towards the light of salvation, leaving behind the darkness of the west. Upon entering the atrium, on the right, you will find the tomb of Bishop Reginpoto, who commissioned this masterpiece. The interior frescoes retain an extraordinary dynamism, far from the rigid canons of the time and still capable of speaking with an almost popular energy today. For more information on opening hours and visits, please visit [uace.eu/battistero-concordia].

Traditions and flavors: between “sagittae,” “renga,” and typical products

The very name of the city reveals its ancient vocation: “Sagittaria” derives from the presence of an imperial arrow factory (sagittae), favored by its strategic position for receiving metal from Noricum. This industriousness is reflected today in an authentic cuisine that we are proud to tell you about.

La Renga: herring is the queen of the table. Linked to a centuries-old tradition that saw the bishop donate a fish to every household on Ascension Day, today it is the star of the “Festa dea Renga” festival and the “Renga d’Oro” competition.
Rural delicacies: don’t miss out on tasting Bronzola, a prized sausage made with pork meat and tongue enclosed in the bladder, and the typical Borlotti beans of the “scritte” variety, the pride of local agriculture.
Lison-Pramaggiore DOC wines: the minerality of the clayey soils produces Tai (a robust and savory white wine), Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, and Merlot, ideal companions for a leisurely lunch.
The Market: every Monday morning, Via Roma comes alive with the weekly market, the perfect time to observe the daily life of the village amid the scents of the earth and bright colors.
Santo Stefano National Agricultural Fair: an event that attracts over 60,000 visitors, celebrating the rural spirit of these lands.

Nature and relaxation along the Lemene River

For those seeking the “slow” philosophy of Agriturismo Altrove, Concordia offers enchanting trails along the water. The GiraLemene cycle and pedestrian path connects the city to Portogruaro and Caorle, crossing reclaimed landscapes of quiet charm. If you love mountain biking, the Bosco delle Lame (in the hamlet of Sindacale) is a must-see destination: a network of trails immersed in greenery where you can rediscover the purest contact with nature. What’s more, if you visit the area in August, you can experience the atmosphere.

End the day at the National Archaeological Museum in Portogruaro

To tie all the pieces of the story together, we suggest a final stop in Portogruaro. Here, the Concordiese National Archaeological Museum welcomes you in a building constructed in the shape of a basilica, specifically to honor the Christian origins of the area. It houses the precious Muschietti collection and the finds from the famous “soldiers’ burial ground,” offering an overview of the greatness of Julia Concordia.

How to reach Concordia Sagittaria from Agriturismo Altrove

For our guests who have chosen the tranquility of San Michele al Tagliamento as their retreat, Concordia is a precious gem within easy reach. Starting from Agriturismo Altrove, the journey takes about 30 minutes: traveling along the SP74 and passing through the quiet town of Lugugnana, you will find yourself immersed in Roman history. This is the combination we love to offer our visitors: the opportunity to stay in the absolute peace of our countryside, knowing that just a few kilometers away you can go from the scent of our garden to the majesty of an imperial colony.

Experience the magic of Concordia Sagittaria: book your stay at Agriturismo Altrove

Concordia Sagittaria is not just a tourist destination; it is an invitation to slow down, to enjoy a glass of wine in front of a thousand-year-old mosaic, to feel the grass under your feet along the Lemene River. After a day spent exploring these wonders, Agriturismo Altrove awaits you to offer you the warmth of home and the regenerating silence of our countryside.

Whether you are traveling as a couple for a romantic weekend or with your family to discover Roman roots, we can recommend the most hidden trails and the most authentic flavors. Contact us today to book your stay: the magic of Eastern Veneto begins right here.