Situated next to the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine (Italian: Arco di Costantino) is a triumphal arch in Rome dedicated to the emperor Constantine the Great. The arch was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312.
Dedicated in 315, the Arch of Constantine is the largest Roman triumphal arch, it is constructed of marble with brick-faced concrete revetment.
The Arch of Constantine spans the Via triumphalis, the route taken by victorious military leaders when they entered Rome city in a triumphal procession.
Though dedicated to Constantine, much of the sculptural decoration consists of reliefs and statues removed from earlier triumphal monuments dedicated to Trajan (98–117), Hadrian (117–138) and Marcus Aurelius (161–180), the reason for doing this is still unknown.
There is no admission fee for the Arch of Constantine, so if you visit the Colosseum, just spend a bit of time visiting this unique arch in Rome.
