The Arch of Hadrian, commonly known as the Lucky Arch or the Arches of Capua, is an ancient triumphal arch located in Santa Maria Capua Vetere. It spanned the Appian Way and served as an ideal entrance to the city. Originally a triple arch, only three pylons and one of the lateral arches survive today. The arch was constructed in brick with an original outer coating of white limestone that is now lost.
The arch was erected between the latter half of the 1st century and the former half of the 2nd century. While it was once reported to have a dedication to Emperor Hadrian, this was later determined to be false. It is also possible the arch was erected under the Flavian dynasty after the city received the status of colonia. The central vault's arch was wider than the lateral arches and originally reached a greater height.
The structure has undergone numerous restorations, including a significant one in 1851 and others in 1893, 1945, and 1953-1955. The arch was notably involved in combat during the Battle of Volturnus in 1860, and a commemorative plaque by Luigi Settembrini remains on one of the pylons. The pylons are coated at the base with blocks of white limestone and feature niches that likely once held statues.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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