The presence of a navigable river is one of the grounds on which the site for the new colony was chosen in 181 b.C. ; at the same time the first landing-place should have been fitted up, and the "Canale Anfora" excavated, to drain the water flows according to the tide. The boats could go up the river, sometimes dragged by ropes, along the "viae helciariae", some traces of which have been recognized.

Most recent researches by different specialists let us know very interesting aspects of the harbour-system of Roman Aquileia, with specially regard for ancient hydrography. The republican and early imperial harbour was to the west of the one you can see today, and connected to Canale Anfora by canals and natural waterways. Three ports - a very large one among them - have been discovered north of the river-port in Monastero, a canal with a quay came to light in S. Stefano, immediately north of the Forum. It was possible so to circum-navigate all the city.