Triumphal Arches
16 04 2010A triumphal arch is a structure in the shape of a monumental archway, in theory built to celebrate a victory in war, but often used to celebrate a ruler and you can find them all over the world.
Bucharest
New York
Moscow
Vientiane, Laos
Ontario
Hadrian’s Arch, Athens
Washington
Chisinau, Moldavia
Gambia
Hadrian’s’ Arch, Anatolia
Moscow
Saint Petersburg
Orange, France
Rome
Lisbon
Pyongyang
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
Mumbai, India
Madrid, Spain
Paris, France
Bucharest
Barcelona
Bruxelles
Madrid, Spain
Constantin’s Arch, Rome
Additional information would add interest:
1 Bucharest (1936) “Arcul de Triumf” – initial arch was to celebrate independence (1878, from the Ottomans), then to commemorate WW1, and later WW2.
2. New York (1894; statuary completed 1901) – Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch to commemorate Union soldiers and sailors (Civil War). Historians reading this might like to comment on why only Union combatants given Lincoln’s plea for unity.
3. Moscow (1827) at Poklonnaya Hill. This a copy of the original, completed in 1968. The original was brick and demolished in 1936; the statuary was damaged and copied. It commemorates the Russian victory in the 1812 (Napoleonic) Patriotic war.
4. Vientiane (completed 1968). Dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. Ironically, paid for by the USA – the cement was supposed to be used to repair the airport.
5. I don’t think the Arch of Puente Nuevo Ronda, Andalusia, Spain) should be here – it is just a bridge, completed in 1793.
6. Ontario Memorial Arch (1923). Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. A monument which honours the memory of ex-cadets who have died in combat or while attending the College.
7. Athens c132AD. Probably not a ‘triumphal’ arch a such, but perhaps a gateway between old (Greek) Athens and new (Roman) Athens.
8. New York. Washington Square Park 1892, replacing a temporary wooden arch erected to celebrate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration as president of the United States (1789).
9. Chisinau, Moldova (1841). The memorial commemorates the Russo-Turkish War (presumably 1828-29 ?) but I cannot find any other information.
10. Banjul, Gambia. “Arch 22″ commemorates the bloodless coup d’etat of 22 July 1994 and the installation of a military government (1994-1996).
11. Antalya, SW Turkey. Hadrian’s Gate – to commemorate his visit in 130 AD. The arches are particularly well-preserved because they were subsequently enclosed within the city’s walls.
12. Saint Petersburg , Russia. Moscow Triumphal Gate, completed 1838 and built to commemorate the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-29. Restored 1960. Amazingly, it is a metal structure (iron and copper)! Having already been dismantled it was used to create an anti-tank defensive structure during the WW II siege of Leningrad. I don’t know why it’s called the “Moscow” Triumphal Gate.
13. Saint Petersburg, Russia. Narval Gate (1814) to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon. The wooden structure was replaced by this stone triumphal arch in 1834. World War 2 damage was repaired in 1960.
14. Orange, France (? During the reign of Augustus: 63BC-14AD). This triumphal arch was built on the former via Agrippa to honour the veterans of the Gallic Wars and Legio II Augusta. It was later reconstructed by emperor Tiberius to celebrate the victories of Germanicus over the German tribes in Rhineland. The arch contains an inscription dedicated to emperor Tiberius in 27 AD.
15. Rome, Italy. Arch of Constantine (315AD) was erected to commemorate Constantine I’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge (across the Tiber) on October 28, 312. Thus it’s of particular significance for Christians – mythology describes Constantine being inspired by God before the battle, and thereafter the Roman state began to support the Christian religion.
16. Lisbon, Portugal. Arco do Trunfo was built after the earthquake that devastated Lisbon in 1755 but was demolished in 1777. In 1873 the construction of a second arch was begun and it was completed in 1875. It’s usually called Arco da Rua Augusta, but I can’t find anything specific it commemorates – just Portugal’s glorious past, I think.
17. Pyongyang, North Korea (1982), commemorates the Korean resistance to Japan from 1925 to 1945. It is the world’s largest triumphal arch (60m high, 50m wide) and glorifies Kim Il Sung.
18. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin (1791). Contrary to popular belief this is not a triumphal arch but is the only remaining gate of a series through which one formerly entered Berlin.
Nevertheless, it demonstrates Prussian power, and the chariot drawn by four horses driven by Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory. The significance of the gate and its symbolism accrued over the centuries, from Napoleon’s theft of the Quadriga through to the tearing down of the Wall.
19. Mumbai, India (1911, completed 1924). The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay. The last British troops to leave India, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, passed through the Gateway in a ceremony on 28 February 1948.
20. Madrid, Puerta de Alcalá (Alcala Door), Spain (1778). Built to celebrate the entry into the city of King Carlos III.
21. Paris, France Arc de Triomphe (1810, but not completed till 1836). Officially, it is the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, as a smaller Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel exists nearby. It is located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. The triumphal arch honours those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. On the inside and the top of the arc there are all of the names of generals and wars fought. Underneath is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I.
22. Bucharest, Hungary. (Repeat)
23. Barcelona, Spain (1888). Built as the entrance gate for the Universal Exhibition (“World’s Fair”) so it is not, strictly speaking, a triumphal arch as it was not built to commemorate any military victory. Nevertheless, it is built and named as a triumphal arch.
24. Brussels, Belgium (1880). Parc du Cinquantenaire (French for “Park of the Fiftieth”, pronounced or Jubelpark (Dutch for “Jubilee Park”) is a large public, urban park. Most buildings of the U-shaped complex which dominate the park were commissioned by King Leopold II and built for the 1880 National Exhibition commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of Belgian independence. The centrepiece triumphal arch was erected in 1905.
25. Madrid, Spain. (Repeat)
26. Constantines Arch (Repeat)