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Monuments in Italy

Accademia Bridge

Accademia Bridge, by Floberth

Accademia Bridge
Town: Venice Address: Canal Grande

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The Accademia Bridge is one of the three bridges crossing the Canal Grande and is situated near the southern end of the canal. It was built in 1854, following the need of the Austrian troops to move quickly over the broad waterway, which was crossed only by the Rialto Bridge at that time. The architect of the construction was the renowned Venetian engineer, Miozzi, who made the wide wooden bridge. However, this was too unstable and dangerous for the marching soldiers and the bridge was demolished in 1985 with the idea to be replaced with a new one. Thus, the Accademia Bridge acquired its present look, a massive steel bridge in the form of an arch. The name of the facility was derived from the nearly located Accademia galleries.

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Acqua Felice Fountain
Town: Rome Address: Piazza San Bernardo Phone: +39 6 48 8991

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Fontana dell'Acqua Felice is also known as Fontana Del Mosè because of the statue of Moses rising in its centre, strongly resembling the famous sculpture by Michelangelo. This particular representation of Moses in the fountain is controversial because of its rather curious proportions. The fountain was constructed as the final part of the Acqua Felice aqueduct, commissioned by Pope Sixtus V. The papal project equipped the area with permanent access to water for drinking and agricultural purposes. The decoration of the fountain includes reliefs with scenes from the Old Testament and copies of two Egyptian statues of lions from the Musei Vaticani.

Ara Pacis

Ara Pacis, by Enzo Figueres

Ara Pacis
Town: Rome Address: Lungotevere Phone: +39 6 3600 3471

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Ara Pacis Augustae is an altar dedicated to Peace, represented as a Roman goddess. It was constructed as a celebration of the peace established throughout the Roman Empire after the victories of Emperor Augustus in Hispania and Gaul, a period commonly referred to as Pax Augusta. The altar was unveiled in 9 BC and nowadays is believed to constitute one of the finest surviving masterpieces of Augustan sculpture. The outstanding feature of the decoration is the fact that the life-sized sculpted representations of persons in a procession are not idealised, but are individual portraits, many of them identifiable. The purpose of Ara Pacis Augustae was to present the Roman vision of civil religion, accompanied by peace and fertile prosperity.

Arch of Constantine

Arch of Constantine, by Elisabetta

Arch of Constantine
Town: Rome Address: Via San Gregorio Phone: +39 6 48 8991

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One of Rome’s premiere monuments is the proud Arco di Costantino, or Arch of Constantine. This triumphal arch was constructed in 315 AD as a commemoration of the victory of Constantine I over Maxentius at Milvian Bridge three years earlier. It’s the largest of only three structures of this kind which have survived in the Italian capital. Situated in the valley of the Colosseum, close to the Palatine Hill, it marks an important spot along the traditional route of triumphal processions.
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Arch of Dolabella
Town: Rome Address: Via Claudia Phone: +39 6 48 8991

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Arco di Dolabella is located at the junction of Via Claudia and Via San Paolo della Croce. Most probably, it occupies the site of the legendary Porta Celimontana, part of the first fortification system of the Italian capital, constructed by Servius Tullius. The magnificent single-arch gateway was erected on the spot by consuls Junius Silanus and Cornelius Dolabella, after whom the monuments received its name. The right side of Arco di Dolabella features a portal with a small shrine, featuring mosaic decoration crafted in the 13th Century by Cosmati.

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Arch of Pamphilj
Town: Rome Address: Viale di Villa Pamphilj Phone: +39 6 488 991

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If you enter the premises of the Doria Pamphilj villa from the side of San Pancrazio and take the path upwards, you will soon find yourself at a small, picturesque square with well-maintained flowerbeds. The most eye-catching monument at the square will certainly be Arco di Villa Pamphilj, an imposing arch serving as the entrance to the villa from the other side. It was originally constructed by Andrea Busirici as part of the ancient Casino dei Quattro Venti, whose ruins can still be seen near the site. The characteristically red monument features three portals. Two elaborate statues of white marble adorn the top of the central passage.

Archi di Porta Nuova

Archi di Porta Nuova, by James Ashburn

Archi di Porta Nuova
Town: Milan Address: Piazza Cavour Phone: +39 2 7252 4301

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Archi di Porta Nuova is an original fragment of Milan’s 12th-Century fortifications, designed and embellished by Azzone Visconti. The gate, one of the few surviving elements, consists of two arches and is flanked by two towers. It was partially demolished and remodelled to be incorporated into adjacent houses. In 1861, it was restored to its original shape. Throughout the 20th Century, it was architectonically readjusted to match its surroundings.

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Arco della Pace
Town: Milan Address: Piazza Sempione

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The spacious Piazza Sempione was created after Napoleon ordered the disassembly of Milan’s major fortress, Castello Sforzesco in 1801. The vast and empty expanse of land was a perfect spot on which to erect a commemorative monumental gate to the city. In 1807, construction works began on a triumphal arc honouring Napoleon. Arco della Pace, the Arch of Peace, was only completed in 1838, long after Napoleon’s fall; it eventually became a monument celebrating the coronation of Ferdinand I as the sovereign of Lombardy-Venetia. The neo-Classical structure, designed by architect Luigi Cagnola, was based on the project of the Arch of Settimo Severo in Rome. Three enormous Corinthian columns are topped with a granite and marble arch, featuring the famous set of four victorious horse riders known as Sestiga della Pace by Abbondio Sangiorio.

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