The concept of "triumphal arch" arose in ancient Rome. It was there that for a more solemn reception of the winners, a similar construction was erected.
The most famous are the arches of Titus, Trajan,
Septimius Severus, Constantine, etc. Images of some of them in the days of Nero and Augustus were even minted on medals.
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, perhaps the most famous of them, was built in honor of the victory of Napoleon Bonaparte and his army in the battle of Austerlitz in December 1805. A lot of projects were proposed for implementation, they were all different and original. There was even a version to present it in the form of a huge elephant made of stone with a museum located inside, so that everyone could learn about all the victories of the emperor. And yet, the Arc de Triomphe, which we know today, has become the ancestor of a similar building in Rome, authored by Titus. Both columns and openings - all completely copied from the Italian original.
This magnificent structure rises fifty meters up with almost the same width. However, such dry figures cannot convey all the beauty and monumentality that the Paris Arc de Triomphe possesses. The project is made in antique style. Beautiful winged virgins blowing fanfare symbolize the triumph and glory of the emperor. Their author is the Swiss architect Jean-Jacques Pradier, who was awarded the prize for his not only sculptural, but also artistic achievements.
The Arc de Triomphe, whose photo along with the image of the Eiffel Tower can be considered a hallmark of the city, is, according to the authors, a precious award to the great commander and his legion. The capital of France is not the only place where you can meet such a structure. A lot of them are scattered around the world, and most of us have not heard of many of them. However, the Parisian arch is familiar to anyone.
It is decorated with sculptures, each of which can be called a separate masterpiece. For example, “Marseillaise”, symbolizing the protest against the Russian army, “Triumph”, dedicated to the signing of the Vienna Peace, “Resistance” and “Peace”, sponsored by Etex. Unfortunately, this architect is practically unknown in the world, and in France itself he is known only in a narrow circle, although the Triumphal Arch is in some way famous for his creations.
Napoleon was not destined to see what a monument built in his honor looks like in honor of the victory, strength and authority of France. The construction was completed in 1836, when the emperor was not alive. And only once, in 1810, he saw a mock-up of the project of his dreams: a wooden arch was built on a stone foundation with a close-fitting canvas decorated for a future project.
In Russia, such grandiose gates were arranged at the entrances to the capital and were intended for the ceremonial entry of generals. They were first built under Peter the Great in 1696, when he returned with victory from under Azov.
And in 1703, not one triumphal arch was built, but three as many: in honor of Repnin, Sheremetyev and Bruce - the companions of the
Russian tsar in the war against Ingermanlandia. They showed off at the Myasnitsky and Ilyinsky gates, as well as near the Zaikospassky monastery.
In addition to Paris and Moscow, today such triumphal gates stand in the city on the Neva, in Kursk, Novocherkassk, Potsdam, Barcelona, Bucharest, Berlin and even Pyongyang.