When was Augustus Arch in Fano built and who built it?

Augustus Arch was built in 9 AD during the reign of Emperor Augustus, as confirmed by the frieze inscription on the monument. It served as the main gateway to Colonia Julia Fanestris, a Roman settlement that Augustus established on the site of the earlier Fanum Fortunae temple dedicated to the Goddess Fortuna.

What is the architectural design of Augustus Arch?

The Arch features a distinctive design with two smaller side archways (fornixes) flanking a larger central archway, all constructed from squared blocks of Istrian stone. The keystone of the central arch is decorated with an animal representation, though the specific creature is no longer recognizable today.

Where is Augustus Arch located in Fano and how do I find it?

Augustus Arch is positioned at the junction where the Via Flaminia (the main Roman road) meets the city's Decumanus Maximus (the main east-west street), making it the primary entrance point to the Roman city. This central location makes it easily accessible and one of the city's most iconic landmarks.

What happened to Augustus Arch in 1463 and why?

The attic (upper section) of the Arch was demolished by Federico da Montefeltro, the Duke of Urbino, in 1463. The stones from this demolished section were subsequently reused in the construction of the adjacent Church of San Michele.

Why is Augustus Arch important to Fano's history?

Augustus Arch has always been a symbol of Fano and represents the city's significant Roman heritage as the main gateway to Emperor Augustus's colonial settlement. The monument stands as one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in the region and is central to understanding Fano's ancient past as a thriving Roman city.

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Augustus Arch

Name: Augustus Arch
Rating: 4.1

Via Arco D'Augusto, 61032 Fano PU, Italia• ★★★★☆• 152 views

Jane Blunt

Fano

About Augustus Arch

Always a symbol of the city of Fano, it was in Roman times the main gateway to the Colonia Julia Fanestris, deducted by the Emperor Augustus on the site of a settlement developed around the republican Fanum Fortunae (temple dedicated to the Goddess Fortuna). Built at the point where the Via Flaminia joins the city's Decumanus Maximus, the monument dates, via the frieze inscription, to 9 AD. Made externally of squared blocks of Istrian stone, the Porta is divided into two minor side fornixes and a major central fornix: the keystone of the latter is decorated with a representation of an animal that is no longer recognizable. The stones from the attic, demolished by the Duke of Urbino Federico da Montefeltro in 1463, were reused in the construction of the adjacent church of San Michele.