Arc de triomphe (Orange, France)
This Roman triumphal arch was first constructed in the 1st century AD in the reign of Augustus and stood astride the Via Agrippa which ran from Lyon to Arles. It was always outside the city fortifications and was used in the middle ages as a castle to guard the northern approaches. It was built to commemorate the campaigns of the Second Legion Augusta in Gaul. Later, the emperor Tiberius added details to celebrate victories over the German tribes, and there is an inscription to Tiberius on the arch. The structure is made up of huge limestone blocks, held together without mortar. It stands 22m high, 21m wide and 8m deep. The north side in particular is well preserved, and the whole is covered in carvings depicting battles, trophies and prisoners, as well as ornamentation. The naval accessories are thought to relate to Augustus’™s victory at Actium. Unusually, it has two storeys above the arch itself, and would have had a bronze quadriga or chariot on top. Today the N7 splits to go round it, rather than through the centre of its three archways, and visitors have access to it. It is about half a mile from the centre of the town. There is parking nearby. Together with the Roman theatre, it forms a UNESCO World Heritage site, although the two attractions are not located together.
Contact
Avenue de l'Arc de Triomphe, 84100, Telephone: +33(4)90347088 | Fax: +33(4)90349962 | Official site