Arco di Augusto (Arch of Augustus), Rimini (must see)

When Octavian became Augustus Caesar, he put an end (for a while) to civil wars. He also was the first Roman emperor who had in mind many civil improvements, such as roads, bridges, and gates. The Arch of Augustus of 27 BC marked the end of the Flaminian Way, an ancient Roman road that connected Rome to the cities of the Romagna historical region.

The Arch of Augustus spans Augustus Street, the ancient east-west road (decumanus maximus), connected to Emilia Street, leading to the city of Piacenza. The arch was created by order of the Roman Senate to honor the emperor. Octavian worked for the restoration of Rimini and the Flaminian Way, built by Consul Flaminius in 220 BC.

The arch is 30 feet wide and built using blocks of Istrian stone. Most arches of the time were gates, narrow enough to hold doors. It may be that as Octavian ended civil strife, doors were not needed. The opening is unusually large, as a result, easing the flow of traffic. The style of the gateway is plain.

The monument is flanked by two fluted columns having Corinthian capitals. Four shields, evenly placed next to the letters, depict the Roman gods. Jupiter and Apollo face the Roman side, while Neptune and Roma face Rimini. The top of the arch initially sported a bronze statue of Octavian driving a quadriga, a four-horse chariot.

Alas, the legendary bronze is gone. In its place are battlements called merlons, dating from the 10th century AD. Over the arch is an inscription honoring Octavian, "son of the divine Julius, Augustus." He is lauded for restoring the Flaminian Way and other important roads.

In the 1930s, during the Fascist era, the remaining walls attached to the arched gateway were demolished. Today the great arch stands incongruously alone, reminding travelers of the ancient glory of Rimini.