The Gospel of Mark: seven centuries, three fragments, a European narrative

From 13th September 2026 to 25th April 2027, Palazzo Meizlik in Aquileia will host an exhibition of exceptional historical and cultural significance: for the first time in some seven centuries, the three surviving original sections of the Gospel of Mark will be reunited at the very place where their story began.

This is also a special occasion for those staying in Grado: just a few kilometres from the island, the nearby town of Aquileia invites visitors to embark on a journey through centuries of history, art, faith and relations between the peoples of Europe.

One manuscript, three cities, seven centuries of history

Regarded as one of the most important sacred texts of medieval Europe, the Gospel of Mark was originally part of the Gospel Book of the Church of Aquileia, produced in the 6th century and venerated for centuries as the Evangelist’s own autograph.

Over the course of its long history, the manuscript was broken up and its parts went their separate ways. Today, the surviving fragments are housed in Cividale del Friuli, Venice and Prague.

The exhibition “The Gospel of Mark. Seven centuries. Three fragments. A European narrative” brings them together in Aquileia, symbolically reassembling a heritage that has been scattered for centuries and, through the manuscript, also recounting the history of a region that for a long time served as a crossroads between the West and the East.

A narrative that also touches on Grado

The exhibition offers a particular point of interest for those visiting or staying in Grado.

The exhibition itinerary also highlights the role of the Marcian tradition in the Upper Adriatic region and presents important artefacts directly linked to Grado’s history. These include eight panels from the famous ivory throne of St Mark of Grado, a 7th-century masterpiece now housed at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan, displayed in Aquileia alongside a virtual reconstruction of the throne.

Also on display is the lintel of the pergula built by Patriarch John II between 806 and 810 for the Chapel of St Mark in the Basilica of St Euphemia in Grado, which bears the oldest known Western inscription bearing the name of St Mark, apart from those in Rome.

This connection allows us to view the history of Aquileia and that of Grado as parts of a broader narrative, woven from faith, art, power and cultural exchanges that have spanned the Adriatic and Europe for centuries.

A journey through history and technology

Alongside the precious artefacts, the exhibition also features multimedia tools that help visitors immerse themselves in history: an interactive installation allows visitors to virtually ‘leaf through’ ancient manuscripts, whilst an immersive room recounts the millennia-long evolution of the basilica complex in Aquileia.

For conservation reasons, the originals from Prague and Cividale will be on display only during the first six weeks of the exhibition, after which they will be replaced by high-resolution digital reproductions. The Venetian reliquary case, however, will remain on display for the entire duration of the exhibition.

Useful information

The Gospel of Mark. Seven centuries. Three fragments. A European narrative

Palazzo Meizlik – Aquileia

Open to the public: 13 September 2026

Until: 25 April 2027

Tickets (BUY HERE)

Full price: €5.00

Groups of at least 15 people: €4.00

Free admission for under-18s and holders of the FVGcard and FVGcard Aquileia&Grado, as well as other eligible categories.

Visitors purchasing a ticket for the Basilica Complex + Domus of Titus Macro will be granted entry to the exhibition for €2.00 upon presentation of their ticket within 48 hours of purchase.

Opening hours

• September 2026: 10.00 – 19.00

• October 2026: 10.00 – 18.00

• November and December 2026: Monday–Friday 10.00 – 16.00; Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 17.00

• January and February 2027: Monday–Friday 10.00 – 16.00; Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 17.00

• March 2027: 10.00 – 18.00

• April 2027: 10.00 – 19.00

Yet another reason to enhance a stay in Grado with a visit to Aquileia and discover just how deeply the histories of these two ancient cities are intertwined.