For those who come to see the sights of Rimini, the arch of Emperor Augustus should be the first in the list of must see. This ancient monument is a hallmark of the city.
Arch of Augustus is even included in the coat of arms of Rimini! What is it? Why was the arch of Augustus built? What did it look like in ancient times, and what form did it acquire today, having gone through centuries full of wars and fires? We will talk about this in this article.
Despite the fact that the Augustus arch is replicated in many postcards, magnets and other souvenirs glorifying Rimini, you need to look at it yourself.
Believe me: even if you came for a beach holiday in one of the Adriatic resorts of the Riviera Romagnola, it is still worth carving out a day to see this most famous landmark of the city.
The story of the creation of the Arc de Triomphe in Rimini
People founded a settlement here in the first millennium BC. Etruscans, umbrellas, Gauls alternately replaced each other, until in 268 BC, this area was not conquered by the Romans. They founded a fortified colony, which they named after the flowing river - Ariminum.
For some time the Gauls tried to recapture their lands. But Ariminum was too important for the empire. After all, he was a springboard for the further conquest of the entire Padan Valley, a stronghold against the attacks of the Gauls and a convenient port.
Therefore, Rome paved three important roads through Ariminum. The oldest of them was called Via Flaminia (220 BC). It began in Rome and ended at the southern reaches of Ariminum.
The empire continued to build roads, because this was partly based on its power. So, in the 30s BC, a path was paved from Ariminum to Tergest (modern Trieste).
This virtually northeastern extension of Via Flaminia was called the Popilia-Ennius road. In honor of the completion of work, the erection of the Arch of Augustus in Rimini was conceived.
The glorious deed of the emperor
The adopted son of Julius Caesar, Octavian Augustus, during his reign, repaired the famous Via Flaminia road and fortified Popilia-Ennius, thus providing a safe route from Rome to the northeast coast of the Adriatic.
On this occasion, the Senate ordered to put in Ariminum arch, glorifying the emperor. Its construction was completed in 27 BC. Thus, it is the oldest triumphal arch not only in the province of Emilia-Romagna, but throughout Italy.
It can be argued that such a structure appeared several years earlier in Rome. Arch of Augustus at the forum, near the Temple of Vesta, was built in 29 BC in honor of the emperor's victory in the battle at Cape of Shares.
But now about how the Roman triumphal gates looked, one can only judge by the antique coins on which they are depicted. And in Rimini they were preserved almost intact, as they were used for other purposes in the Middle Ages.
View in ancient times
A photo of the arch of Rimini demonstrates that it is made up of stone blocks tightly fitted to each other, and its top consists of brickwork. What did the southern gates of Ariminum look like in ancient times?
Of course, then the brick has not yet learned to burn. At the top of the arch was a bronze statue of Emperor Octavian-Augustus, who controlled a quadriga - a chariot with four horses harnessed into it.
Under this sculptural group, a triangular attic is still visible. In ancient times, the inscription was carved there: “By order of the People of Rome and the Senate, this monument is dedicated to the emperor Octavian, son of Julius Caesar, the seventh emperor, seven times consul in honor of the appointment as consul for the eighth time on the occasion of the reconstruction of Via Flaminius and other roads of Rome that he built and fortified. "
It is noteworthy that the wide vaulted archway was not protected by a gate in ancient times. This symbolized the world that came after the Roman conquests.
On the facades of the arch from both sides, medallions with relief images of Jupiter and Apollo (from the side of Rome) and Neptune and Minerva (from the inside) are still visible.
Arch in Rimini in the Middle Ages
Ancient Ariminum suffered from a raid of barbarians. Perhaps the sculptural image of the quadriga disappeared already in that turbulent era when the city fell into decay, and its population was greatly reduced. It is also possible that the top fell during one of the earthquakes.
But the destiny of the arch of Augustus in Rome, the attraction of Rimini avoided because it continued to serve the city as the southern gate. True, now she had doors, and she was guarded by guards.
During the wars of the Holy Roman Empire and the Pope, the city freed itself from the control of the bishop and joined the Lombard League. The Ghibellines, who took control of Rimini, renewed all the fortifications. Supporters of the emperor built the city walls of local stone.
Thus, the arch of Augustus was included in the chain of fortifications. Since the ancient landmark left a little in the ground, the party of supporters of the emperor decided to build it. So there was a brickwork with characteristic "gibelle" teeth (in the form of swallow tails).
Location attractions, how to get to it
The past centuries have significantly affected the once small and compact Rimini. Arch of Augustus, which in the Middle Ages was the southern limit of the city, is now located in its very center.
This attraction is located on the street of September 20, 1870. You can also go to the arch via Via Bastioni Orientali (i.e. the Eastern Fortifications). And for sure: you can see the remains of the medieval walls on the Roman foundation, if you walk not along the street, but parallel to the stretching park Alcide Cervi.
By the way, Rimini lost the city fortifications relatively recently - during the Second World War. Now the attraction stands apart, and only small fragments of the walls remind that earlier it played the role of the south gate.
It is best to get to the Augustus Arch on foot - the building of the old city makes two-way passage impossible.
Attraction today
It just so happened that the Arch of Augustus became the site of a non-main labor market. Ostarbeiters who want to take on the badante position, that is, nannies or nurses to care for the sick and the elderly, come here in search of a job.
Therefore, near the arch you can always hear Slavic speech, mainly Ukrainian. Also nearby is the university building. In good weather, students love to relax in the shade of an arch.
Travel Tips
The landmark, which stands apart, looks quite majestic. To completely fit the arch into the camera’s lens, it’s better to remove it from the street on September 20th. It is also worth considering that during the daytime in the square in front of the attraction all the time illegal labor migrants hustle around in search of work.
If you want to find the arch of Augustus in Rimini in magnificent solitude, come there early in the morning. This will give you another bonus. It is with the arch of Augustus that all walking tours of the Old Town begin.
Reviews
Even tourists indifferent to history were impressed by the sights. Indeed, the arch of Augustus in Rimini is more than two thousand years old, and it is the oldest in Italy.
Tourists say that the area around it is very pleasant. Nearby is a shady park, and from the side of the Old Town you will find many cafes, restaurants and shops with branded clothing. So you can combine sightseeing with shopping.
But souvenirs are not advised to buy here. Since the Arch of Augustus is included in the program of all excursions in Rimini and is very visited by tourists, the prices here are overpriced.
You can make a point of interest the final point of your walk around the city. Tourists advise to go from the railway station first to the Tiberius bridge, then through the Surgeon’s house and Cavour Square to get to Castel Sismondo.
Next, turn east, see the Clock Tower with an astrological dial and the Palazzo Brioli, the Malatesta Temple (or the Church of St. Francis), and then head south to the former gate. And from there, back to the station again through the park, along the way, seeing the ancient amphitheater.