ARC OF AUGUSTE

One of Aosta's most emblematic monuments, it was built in 25 B.C. Commissioned to commemorate the final victory of the Roman legions over the Salasses and to celebrate the emperor of the same name, it is built from large blocks of sedimentary rock. Its architectural style is marked by the severity typical of the final period of the Roman Republic. On the sides, ten semi-columns feature Corinthian-style capitals, while the entablature is in the Roman Doric order. Originally, it stood outside the Roman city walls, halfway between the Praetorian Gate and the bridge over the Buthier torrent. In the ^12th century, it was even inhabited by a noble family from Aosta, before a fortification was created inside for the crossbowmen. During the High Middle Ages, a new suburb called Bourg de Saint-Ours grew up to the arch: today, this is the only part of the historic center outside the Roman walls. In 1449, a wooden crucifix was placed under the arch as an offering to save the town from the Buthier floods: the entire monument was then named "Saint-Voût". Today, the original is housed in the Cathedral Treasury Museum, while the crucifix beneath the arch is a recent copy. Although the last restoration was carried out in 1913, the most important was in 1716, when the Council of Commissioners decided to build the current roof to protect the monument from the elements.