Arch of Augustus

Almost all the excursions in Rimini start with the triumphal Arch of Augustus, the antique sight of Italy. It is still in good condition, despite its ancient.

The triumphal arch was built in 27 BC in Rimini as a majesty symbol of the emperor Octavian August, the son of Julius Caesar. It is written on the arch. The emperor was very popular among the people because he carried out a peaceful policy.

The decoration of an arch has a political meaning. An enlarged aperture demonstrates the openness of an emperor to the world without the civil wars and political disagreements. Arch of Augustus in honor of Octavian did not just decorate the city but was functioning as gates. Later it was straightened with an additional fortress wall. The arch did not look like the construction for defense, because it did not even have doors and could not be closed. It proves the idea of Octavian’s peaceful policy – there was no necessity to close the city doors. 

The arch was built with Istrian stone, as well as one of the other Rimini sights – the Bridge of Tiberius. For the strengthening of a basement, the sandstone was used. Initially, the width of the arch was about 10 meters, the thickness – 4 meters.

The element of the triumphal arch decoration was a bronze chariot with four horses under control of the emperor Octavian August. Unfortunately, it has not been conserved until now.