Arco di Augusto (Arch of Augustus), Rimini (must see)
When Octavian became Augustus Caesar, he put an end (for a while) to civil wars. He also was the first Roman emperor who had in mind many civil improvements, such as roads, bridges, and gates. The Arch of Augustus of 27 BC marked the end of the Flaminian Way, an ancient Roman road that connected Rome to the cities of the Romagna historical region.
The Arch of Augustus spans Augustus Street, the ancient east-west road (decumanus maximus), connected to Emilia Street, leading to the city of Piacenza. The arch was created by order of the Roman Senate to honor the emperor. Octavian worked for the restoration of Rimini and the Flaminian Way, built by Consul Flaminius in 220 BC.
The arch is 30 feet wide and built using blocks of Istrian stone. Most arches of the time were gates, narrow enough to hold doors. It may be that as Octavian ended civil strife, doors were not needed. The opening is unusually large, as a result, easing the flow of traffic. The style of the gateway is plain.
The monument is flanked by two fluted columns having Corinthian capitals. Four shields, evenly placed next to the letters, depict the Roman gods. Jupiter and Apollo face the Roman side, while Neptune and Roma face Rimini. The top of the arch initially sported a bronze statue of Octavian driving a quadriga, a four-horse chariot.
Alas, the legendary bronze is gone. In its place are battlements called merlons, dating from the 10th century AD. Over the arch is an inscription honoring Octavian, "son of the divine Julius, Augustus." He is lauded for restoring the Flaminian Way and other important roads.
In the 1930s, during the Fascist era, the remaining walls attached to the arched gateway were demolished. Today the great arch stands incongruously alone, reminding travelers of the ancient glory of Rimini.
The Arch of Augustus spans Augustus Street, the ancient east-west road (decumanus maximus), connected to Emilia Street, leading to the city of Piacenza. The arch was created by order of the Roman Senate to honor the emperor. Octavian worked for the restoration of Rimini and the Flaminian Way, built by Consul Flaminius in 220 BC.
The arch is 30 feet wide and built using blocks of Istrian stone. Most arches of the time were gates, narrow enough to hold doors. It may be that as Octavian ended civil strife, doors were not needed. The opening is unusually large, as a result, easing the flow of traffic. The style of the gateway is plain.
The monument is flanked by two fluted columns having Corinthian capitals. Four shields, evenly placed next to the letters, depict the Roman gods. Jupiter and Apollo face the Roman side, while Neptune and Roma face Rimini. The top of the arch initially sported a bronze statue of Octavian driving a quadriga, a four-horse chariot.
Alas, the legendary bronze is gone. In its place are battlements called merlons, dating from the 10th century AD. Over the arch is an inscription honoring Octavian, "son of the divine Julius, Augustus." He is lauded for restoring the Flaminian Way and other important roads.
In the 1930s, during the Fascist era, the remaining walls attached to the arched gateway were demolished. Today the great arch stands incongruously alone, reminding travelers of the ancient glory of Rimini.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rimini. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Arco di Augusto (Arch of Augustus) on Map
Sight Name: Arco di Augusto (Arch of Augustus)
Sight Location: Rimini, Italy (See walking tours in Rimini)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Rimini, Italy (See walking tours in Rimini)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Rimini, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Rimini
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rimini is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rimini Introduction Walking Tour
The Roman Republic founded an outpost called Ariminus at the mouth of the river Marecchia in 268 BC. Rimini was a center of civil wars and invasions. Julius Caesar made his famous "Rubicon" speech to his troops in the city forum.
The city was an all-important junction. The ancient Roman road, via Flaminia, ended in Rimini at the Arch of Augustus, erected in 27 BC. Another old Roman... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The city was an all-important junction. The ancient Roman road, via Flaminia, ended in Rimini at the Arch of Augustus, erected in 27 BC. Another old Roman... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Federico Fellini Trail
Even those vaguely familiar with cinema perhaps have heard of Federico Fellini. In recent history, the picturesque resort town of Rimini, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, "marked" itself primarily as the birthplace and the final resting place of this great film director.
Fellini lived in Rimini from January 1920, when he was born, until January 1939, when he moved out to Rome. While... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Fellini lived in Rimini from January 1920, when he was born, until January 1939, when he moved out to Rome. While... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles