Arco d Augusto
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Why go
- The unusually wide opening may reflect Augustus’s message of peace, when a closable city gate seemed unnecessary.
- The arch’s distinctive Ghibelline merlons were added in the late medieval era.
- Short wall remains beside the arch belong to Rimini’s first Roman wall circuit, dating to the 3rd century BC.
- The arch appears on Rimini’s coat of arms.
Don't miss
- Divinities above the openingOn the Via Flaminia face, identify Jupiter by his lightning bolt and eagle, and Apollo by his lyre and raven. On the city face, Neptune carries a trident and dolphin; the other figure may be Venus, Minerva or Roma.Shields above the opening on both faces.
- Bull’s-mouth keystonesLook at the centre of each face for a bull’s mouth projecting from the keystone.At the crown of the opening.
- Columns and pedimentFollow the fluted columns to their Corinthian capitals, then look for the low triangular pediment, which stops short of covering the column tops.Beside and above the opening.
- Floral and animal carvingsPick out plant forms, a hippocampus, a griffin and a jellyfish in the carved decoration.Cornice and tympanum above the opening.
Know before you go
- Open 24 hours every day.
Interesting facts4
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8.84 metres
The opening measures 8.84 metres wide, 10.4 metres high and 4.1 metres deep.
Arch of Augustus (Rimini) - Wikipedia -
19 metres
The whole monument measures 19 metres high and 15 metres wide.
Arch of Augustus (Rimini) - Wikipedia -
The base and opening follow Italic or Etruscan design traditions, while the upper decoration is late Hellenistic.
Arch of Augustus (Rimini) - Wikipedia -
Part of the eastern flanking tower’s casing remains visible.
Arch of Augustus (Rimini) - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Although it served as a city gate, the opening was too broad to close with a gate. This unusual design may reflect the peace central to Augustus’s political message. The attic’s partly surviving inscription also conveyed a commemorative and propagandistic message.
- 27 BCThe Senate commissioned the arch to honour Augustus for restoring the Via Flaminia and other major Italian roads.
- Around the 10th centuryThe original attic, probably lost to earthquakes, was rebuilt.
- Mid-13th centuryNew outer walls reduced the arch’s military role.
- Late medieval periodThe distinctive Ghibelline battlements were added; the oldest surviving merlons probably date to the 13th century.
- 1930sDemolition of nearby buildings, walls and flanking towers left the arch freestanding.
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- Second World WarMarshal Willi Trageser defied orders to demolish the arch during the German retreat.
- November 2022Restoration removed weeds and applied anti-graffiti protection to the lower sections.
Sources: Arch of Augustus (Rimini) - Wikipedia · Arco d'Augusto - Archi, porte e mura - Rimini · Luoghi da visitare a Rimini, Riccione Cattolica… · Storia di Rimini Ariminum Paolo e Francesca i M… · Arco di Augusto (Rimini) - Wikipedia · Augustusbogen (Rimini) - Wikipedia · Arc d'Auguste (Rimini) - Wikipedia · checked 6 Oct 2026
Questions and answers
What originally stood on top of Arco d’Augusto?
The lost attic may have been topped by a statue of Augustus on horseback or in a four-horse chariot.
Did Arco d’Augusto influence later architecture?
It may have influenced Leon Battista Alberti’s 1450 design for the nearby Tempio Malatestiano façade.
Did earthquakes damage Arco d’Augusto?
The 1916 Rimini earthquakes damaged the arch and brought down some of its battlements.
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