Roman Arch of Cabanes

The Roman arch of Cabanes is a stone memorial built near the ancient Via Augusta and consists of carefully fitted limestone blocks without mortar. The structure displays a semicircular vault made of radially arranged stone wedges and survives as an incomplete ruin missing its upper section.

The memorial was built during the second century as a tribute and burial monument for inhabitants of a Roman rural estate. It gained official protection status in the 20th century after scholars recognized its historical value.

The arch marks an important passage on an ancient trade route and reveals how Romans honored significant locations along their road system. Visitors can observe how this structure once served as a formal gateway connecting a rural estate to the wider Roman network.

The monument sits on a rural path outside the town center and requires a short walk to reach the site. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for uneven ground and changing weather conditions.

The fourteen wedge-shaped stones of the vault can be examined up close to see how precisely Roman builders arranged them to create a self-supporting structure. This geometric precision was essential for the arch to hold together without the use of mortar.