Get Familiar With 5 Monumental Triumphal Arches In The World

A triumphal arch is a free-standing monumental structure in the shape of an archway with one or more arched passageways, often designed to span a road.

They were usually built by the Romans to honour a high authority. Below is a list of some of the arches around the world. 

1. Arc de Triomphe 

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France,  standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle,  formerly named Place de l’Étoile, the étoile or star of the juncture formed by its twelve radiating avenues. It was constructed in 1806.  

2. Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome 

The Arch of Septimius Severus at the northwest end of the Roman Forum is a white marble triumphal arch dedicated in 203 to commemorate the Parthian victories of Emperor Septimius  Severus and his two sons, Caracalla and Geta, in the two campaigns against the Parthians of  194/195 and 197–199. It was first opened in 203 AD.  

3. Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome dedicated to the emperor Constantine the Great. The arch was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312. It was first opened in 315  AD.  

4. Arch of Hadrian at Jerash 

The Arch of Hadrian is an ancient Roman structure in Jerash, Jordan. It is an 11-meter high triple-arched gateway erected to honor the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian to the city in the winter of 129–130. The arch originally stood to almost 22 m and probably had wooden doors.  It was first opened in 130 AD.  

5. Timgad Arch 

Also known as the Arch of Trajan, this is a Roman triumphal arch located in the city of Timgad  (ancient Thamugadi), near Batna, Algeria. The three vaulted arch composed the western gate of the city, at the beginning of the Decumanus Maximus and the end of the road coming from Lambaesis. 

6. Arch of Titus 

The Arch of Titus is a 1st-century AD honorific arch, located on the Via Sacra, Rome, just to the southeast of the Roman Forum. It was built in 81 AD and the Arch of Titus is a Roman  Triumphal Arch which was erected by Domitian. It commemorates the victories of his father  Vespasian and brother Titus in the Jewish War in Judaea (70-71 CE) when the great city of  Jerusalem was sacked and the vast riches of its temple plundered.