Description of the attraction
The Arch of Augustus, standing on Piazza Arco d'Augusto in Aosta, has long become not only one of the main tourist attractions of the city, but also its original symbol, against which all guests of the capital of the Italian region Val d'Aosta are sure to take pictures.
The Arc de Triomphe, dedicated to Emperor Augustus, is located just behind the bridge over the Boutier River on the road leading into the city through the ancient Porta Pretoria gate. This arch is one of the surviving "contemporaries" of the mighty Roman Empire, whose troops in the 25th year BC. defeated the Salassi tribes and founded a new colony on the site of their settlement.
The impressive building in the style of the "late republic" is a semicircular arch about 9 meters wide, which is equal to the width of the road. The columns supporting it on four sides are decorated with Corinthian capitals. Initially, the surface of the arch and columns was covered with relief images of the imperial trophies. A Doric architrave with triglyphs and metopes crowns the upper part of the arch, which for several centuries did not have an attic, and a commemorative inscription is visible on it.
In the Middle Ages, the Arch of Augustus was called "Saint-Vu" because of the image of Savoir, which was later replaced by a cross (the original cross is now kept in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta). In 1716, to protect the monument from water, it was covered with a slate roof, and two centuries later, in 1912-13, the monument was carefully restored. At the same time, at the beginning of the 20th century, two huge gilded bronze letters were brought to light - they were probably part of a dedication earlier.
Another Roman arch of Val d'Aosta that deserves attention is located in the town of Donnas. It stands on the Consolare delle Gallie road, which was built during the Roman era to connect the capital of the empire with the Valle del Rodano valley. The arch is carved directly into the 221 meter long rock. The arch is 4 meters high, the same width, and the distance between its side walls is almost three meters. In the Middle Ages, this passage was closed at night. Today, next to the arch, you can still see the ruts left by loaded carts, and a little to the side of it - the mile stones with the number "XXXVI", which marked the distance from Donnas to Aosta (about 50 km).
