Augustus Arch

The monumental “logo” of the city

When is it open: everyday

What's not to be missed: … photographing the “symbol” of the city of Aosta

Where is it: Piazza Arco d’Augusto

Why?… Because it's worth it: it is the Roman icon of Augusta Pretoria (Aosta)

Immediately after Buthier Bridge, along the road that leads to the city Porta Praetoria, you will find the honorary arch dedicated to the Emperor Augustus. It is an eloquent sign of the presence and power of Rome which, in 25 B.C., defeated the Salassi to found a new colony. The impressive arch, in Late Republican style, has a single, semi-circular arch that is around 9 metres wide. The pillars that support it have, on each of its four corners,

half-columns with Corinthian capitals. Originally, these surfaces were interrupted by relief designs with trophy representations, located on the four alcoves of the facade. A Doric entablature encloses the upper part of the monument, which was for centuries without an attic, bearing the commemorative inscription. In medieval times, the arch was called "Saint-Vout" due to an image of Saviour, which was later replaced with the cross (today a copy of the original is used - the original is preserved in the cathedral).

In 1716, it was decided to protect the monument against water infiltration by covering it with a slate roof. The arch was renovated in the years 1912-1913; at the beginning of the twentieth century two large, gilt bronze letters came to light, which most likely formed part of the dedicatory inscription.