Lost treasure: Attila and the Mystery of the Gold Pit

There are many legends and stories that surround ancient Aquileia. One of the local favourites is the legend of Attila and the Gold Pit.

Back in 452 AD, the Huns marched on Italy to take hold of the lands of the falling Roman Empire, led by their legendary ferocious king Attila.

Preceded by his dreadful fame (known as flagellum Dei, scourge of God), Attila and his army put a long siege on Aquileia, a crucial Roman outpost for the control of the Danube territories and a strategic conquest for the Huns before moving on south towards Rome.

For three long months, the dwellers of Aquileia resisted the attacks, but eventually Attila entered the city and partially destroyed it. Most of the inhabitants took refuge on the island of Grado but before escaping Aquileia, they ask their slaves to dig a pit and hide all their treasures and golden objects, hoping to recover them later.

The treasure, however, has never been found since and the people from Aquileia, along with many others, are still looking for it…

The legend was taken so seriously that up until the First World War, real estate contracts included a clause that said: “I am selling my field but not the gold pit” - this way the original owner was guaranteed the treasure in case it was found.

The ferocity of Attila left such a mark in Aquileia that violent or aggressive people are still given the nickname “Attila”!