Built under the reign of Augustus, the Porte d'Arroux stood as a northern entrance to Augustodunum for travelers arriving from Chalon-sur-Saône. Constructed as a monumental work to demonstrate the prestige of a powerful and wealthy city, it served as a primary entry point toward Auxerre while commanding the passage of goods and people.
The architecture of the gate is complex, featuring four vaulted passages. The two wider central lanes were reserved for vehicles, while the two narrower side lanes were for pedestrians. The central passages could be closed by a portcullis, with the guiding grooves still visible in the stone. Above, a gallery of ten arcades served as a walkway for guards and housed the mechanism for the portcullis. The structure utilized three types of rock: feldspathic sandstone for the base of the piers, oolitic limestone for the facades, and local granite and gneiss for the masonry fill.
Recent studies suggest the gate functioned as a sas with an inner courtyard and a second facade, similar to the Porte d'Auguste in Nîmes. This design allowed it to filter entries into the city effectively. In addition to its defensive role, the gate had a commercial function, as it was designed to collect taxes on the merchandise passing through the structure.
The gate underwent significant changes over time. It was transformed into a chapel, during which the flanking towers, the interior building, and much of the upper gallery disappeared. Today, the four ground-floor passages and part of the upper arcades remain preserved. Classified as a historical monument in 1846, it continues to stand as a testament to the city's ancient grandeur.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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