Grado, the first Venice

Grado, a municipality in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, is an island famous for its history and its tourist vocation. Small fishermen's houses, picturesque arches and Aquileian basilicas characterize the historic center of the town. The history of Grado is linked to that of two other cities: Aquileia and Venice. During the 5th and 6th centuries AD. C. due to frequent barbarian raids, Grado became a fortress city, the castrum gradense. Right here, the Aquileian bishops found refuge, later building the two early Christian basilicas, dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie and Sant'Eufemia. Today Grado is also famous for its beaches and fishing. Tourism represents a strong income for the community economy. To confirm this, today the island is recognized as one of the national destinations, thanks also to the numerous cultural initiatives that attract attention at regional and national level. Among these, every year there is the Festa del perdon di Barbana on the first Sunday of July and Grado yellow in early October.