The Arco Trionfale di Chieri: A symbol of the city's history

Stand in the heart of Chieri, Piemont, and gaze upon the Arco Trionfale di Chieri, majestically located at Piazza Umberto I (Piazza delle Erbe) and at the main street, Via Vittorio Emanuele II. Designed by engineer Giovanni Battista Ripa (or Riva), who also built a twin arch in the piazza di Savigliano, the building has been rebuilt and restored multiple times. In the second half of the 18th century, two architects, first Vittone in 1761 and then Mario Ludovico Quarini in 1785, carried out restoration work.

The arch was damaged during a popular uprising in the late 18th century, and restoration work included the removal of royalistic elements. The arch was restored again in the 19th century, and a clock was added in 1837. An inscription on the arch informs about the joy of the residents of Chieri due to the birth of a prince. During renovation, partially allegorical figures of abundance and justice were uncovered.

A plaque from 1911 in the arch features the likeness of Vittorio Emanuele II, Camillo Cavour, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Giuseppe Mazzini. Stucco reliefs represent the coat of arms of Savoy on the facade facing the square and the coat of arms of Chieri on the facade facing the street. Today, visitors can marvel at this symbol of the city and envision the monumental events that it has witnessed.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons