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About
Arco di Augusto (Arch of Augustus) is a Roman triumphal arch in Rimini, located in the southern part of the historical center of the city.
The Arch of Augustus is the best-preserved Roman arch in the world. Together with the Bridge of Tiberius, the arch is one of the symbols of Rimini, and both monuments appear on the coat of arms of the city.
SHORT HISTORY OF ARCO DI AUGUSTO
Arco di Augusto was built in 27 BC, by decree of the Roman Senate, in order to honor Emperor Augustus for having restored Via Flaminia, Via Emilia and Via Popilia.
In fact, the arch marked the end of Via Flaminia, which connected Rimini to Rome, the capital of the Empire.
Back then, Via Flaminia was continued by the decumanus maximus (east-west-oriented Roman road), today’s Corso d’Augusto, which led to the entrance to the ancient Via Emilia.
Arco di Augusto remained the main gate of the city, flanked by modest buildings, until the Fascist period.
Between 1936 and 1938, at the behest of Benito Mussolini, it was isolated by demolishing the adjacent buildings.
Arch of Augustus
ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE ARCH OF AUGUSTUS
The arch was built in travertine from Nabresina, and originally was inserted into the city walls erected in the 3rd century BC, and acted as a monumental city gate. Traces of the walls are still preserved on the lower sides of the arch.
The central archway, about 9 meters wide, is flanked by two semi-columns with fluted shafts and Corinthian capitals, which support the entablature.
The arch has a tympanum placed above the columns, surmounted by a brick crowning with Ghibelline merlons.
The four bas-reliefs placed on the corners between the capitals and the lintel of the arch represent the protector gods of the city.
On the side oriented towards the exterior, there is Jupiter with the thunderbolt on the left, and Apollo with the zither and the crow on the right.
On the side towards the city, there is Neptune with the trident and the dolphin on the left, and Minerva with the gladius on the right.
The attic of the arch in its original form was destroyed, probably due to earthquakes, and was rebuilt in the Middle Ages, in a period in which the city was ruled by the Ghibellines.
HOW TO GET TO ARCO DI AUGUSTO
The Arch of Augustus is located about 1 kilometer away from the Rimini railway station. The closest bus stop, Arco d’Augusto, is located in front of the arch, on the bus Lines 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 20, 28, 91, 170 and 172.
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