Arch of Campanus, Roman memorial arch in Aix-les-Bains, France
The Arch of Campanus is a Roman sepulchral monument built from carefully dressed limestone blocks stacked without mortar. The structure rises approximately 9 meters high and 7 meters wide, displaying the solid craftsmanship of Roman stone builders.
The monument was erected in the first century AD by Lucius Pompeius Campanus to honor his family. By the 16th century, it was incorporated into a courthouse building, becoming part of a new civic structure.
The arch displays Latin inscriptions that honor the Campanus family and reveal how Romans commemorated their deceased through monumental structures. You can still read the carved text today, showing the effort wealthy families put into creating lasting memorials.
The monument stands near the ancient thermal baths site and is accessible on foot. Its location offers direct sightlines toward the historic spa complex, helping visitors understand Roman structures within the context of the former settlement.
The structure lay buried underground for centuries before accidental demolition of a neighboring hotel in 1821 brought it to light. This chance discovery preserved the memorial from being lost forever and allowed later generations to protect it.
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