Rome's Arc de Triomphe: everything you need to know

Triumphal arches were built in many European countries to commemorate military victories. There are several in the Italian capital, such as the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Triumph in Rome. It is the latter, situated next to the Roman Colosseum, that I would like to focus on.

Also known as the ‘Arch of Constantine’, it is one of the more recent Roman monuments (it was built in 315 AD) and both its location and its structure make it the most visited arch in Rome.

In 312, Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, a key victory on his path to power. Three years later, in 315, Rome unveiled the Arch of Constantine to commemorate that triumph. Situated next to the Colosseum, it is one of those monuments well worth taking the time to examine during a guided tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as many of its details reveal far more than meets the eye:

• A large proportion of its reliefs and sculptures come from earlier monuments, particularly from the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius.
• Its decoration served a clear political purpose: the scenes depicted on the arch helped to reinforce Constantine’s image as the restorer of the Empire.
• In the Middle Ages, the monument became part of the Frangipane family’s fortress, although it always remained in its original location.
• Since the Renaissance, it has undergone several restorations. One of the most significant took place in 1733, when some elements that had been lost were reconstructed.

Guided tours will enable you, when standing in front of it, to spot details that independent tourists will miss.

The Roman Triumphal Arch is located within the Colosseum Archaeological Park, but as it stands on a public thoroughfare, you do not need to buy tickets to see it.

It’s worth noting that, unlike other arches found in Italy and other European countries, it isn’t possible to walk under the Arch of Constantine, as it is surrounded by protective barriers. Even so, this doesn’t stop you from getting close enough to see the details of its design.

The Arch of Constantine is next to the Colosseum, and there are various forms of transport that stop near it, specifically in Piazza del Colosseo. If you want to visit this monument, no matter where you are in the Italian capital, here are the options:

• Bus: take lines 51, 75, 81, 85, 87 or 118; all of these will take you to Piazza del Colosseo.
• Underground: you’ll need to take Line B, which goes to the Colosseo station.

If you decide to use the metro, it’s worth reading my guide to the Rome Metro.

The Arch of Constantine is one of the most visited monuments in Rome. And the main reason I’d encourage you to see it is its architecture: it stands an impressive 21 metres high and is 25 metres wide.

The central arch is the largest and features reliefs of emperors and warriors throughout the structure. Many centuries ago, people could walk underneath it, but that’s no longer possible. Obviously, the Arch of Constantine doesn’t look the same as it did in the 3rd century, but it’s still well worth a look.

Another reason why it’s a great place to visit is that it’s situated at a strategic point in the city. What do I mean by that? After visiting it, you can go on to see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, or the Arch of Titus.

Yes, it’s a monument they’re sure to enjoy seeing and which will leave them impressed. What’s more, they can walk safely in the area around the arch.

If you’re looking for something to do on your holiday in the capital that’s suitable for your children’s ages, I recommend reading another of my articles where I list 10 things to do in Rome with children.

The structure of the Arch of Constantine is made up of various materials: marble for the lower sections and bricks with marble blocks for the upper sections. The materials were reused because, at the time of its construction, Rome was in a state of decline and the end of the empire was drawing near.

Although it was built in the 3rd century, the Arch of Constantine is very well preserved, thanks to the restoration work that has been carried out on it.

Even today, seeing the Arch is a wonderful experience, so rather than just rushing past it, I’d encourage you to spend a few minutes taking in the details.

Read the inscription on the Arch

On the side of Rome’s Arch of Triumph facing the Colosseum there is an inscription, and what it says reveals a great deal about the empire and Emperor Constantine. For example, the phrase ‘inspired by the divine’ is used, which serves as a reminder that Constantine, unlike other emperors, supported Christianity.

Furthermore, when referring to the people he defeated, no name was given; instead, they were called ‘the tyrant’. In this way, the message was conveyed to the people that the war that had been waged had been just. This inscription also makes it clear that it was the Senate that solemnly dedicated the Arch to Constantine.

As visitors cannot walk beneath the monument, I would like to mention two inscriptions found inside the larger arch:

• The liberator of the city.
• Founder of peace.

Marvel at the precision of the reliefs and take a look at the statues

The reliefs on the monument’s outer walls are carved from blocks of marble. They are intended to depict the wars and victories of the era of Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Trajan and Constantine (the latter emperor being the main subject).

Among the most notable reliefs are the following:

• Faces of emperors remodelled to resemble Constantine.
• Marcus Aurelius giving bread to the poor.
• Roman soldiers in battle.
• Victory processions.

As for the statues, they are located in the upper section and depict Trajan after his victory over the Dacians.

Look at the columns of the Arch

The Arch features four Corinthian columns which, before being installed in this monument, were part of another structure built in the 1st century that was lost over time. All the columns rest on bases featuring sculptures depicting winged victories, showing Roman captives, Roman legionaries and palm fronds.

Not all the elements in this great arch have been reused; some were created specifically for this monument dedicated to Constantine. These depict the emperor’s military exploits and can be seen in the following areas of the Arch:

• On the left-hand side of the south façade: the siege of Verona.
• On the right-hand side of the south façade: the battle with Maxentius.
• On the left-hand side of the north façade: a scene in the Roman Forum.
• On the right-hand side of the north façade: a gift-giving ceremony.

Take a look at the Meta Sudans

Directly in front of Rome’s Arch of Triumph lie the remains of a monumental fountain that was in use until the 5th century. The structure stood an impressive 18 metres tall, had a cylindrical base and was clad in marble. It is said that gladiators would leave the Colosseum to cool off at the fountain and clean their wounds.

Its diameter was around 16 metres and its depth was approximately one and a half metres. The last photographs of the Meta Sudans date from the 19th and 20th centuries; by that time, it stood only 9 metres high and had lost its marble cladding.

What remained of the monumental fountain was dismantled in 1936, and today only its ruins remain. If you’re interested in this topic, in another article I’ll tell you about the top 5 fountains in Rome.

Rome’s Arch of Constantine is located in one of the city’s most popular areas, so during peak seasons it can attract over 3,000 visitors. Therefore, if you’re the sort of person who likes to admire a monument up close and take in its details, I recommend going in the morning or late at night.

Many tourists, and even people who live in Rome, choose to visit the Arch of Triumph after dark. The truth is that there are plenty of things to do in Rome at night.

During these hours, you can spend as much time as you like admiring the Arch and strolling around the surrounding area to discover Rome’s other monuments. I hope you make the most of your trip to the Italian capital.