1. MARCHE: Arco di Traiano, Ancona
The Arch of Trajan was erected between 100 and
116 AD, was created by the Syrian architect
Apollodorus of Damascus to honor the Emperor
Trajan.
Trajan had expanded and more heavily fortified the
port of the city of Ancona, at his own expense; this
is why the arch is found in the port area of the city.
The arch is made of Turkish marble and according
to legend once contained, on the parapet, an
equestrian statue of the emperor.
On the left of the arch there is a statue of the
emperor’s wife, and on the right of the arch there is
a statue of the emperor’s sister.
The inscriptions on the arch, which are still legible
today, are in gold-plated bronze, as were many
ornaments and other statues that were stolen by
Saracens in 848 AD. The arch has been recently
renovated and returned to the elegant glory it once
displayed; new lighting systems were also
implemented to accentuate its structure.
