Arch of Dativius Victor

The Arch of Dativius Victor is a Roman triumphal arch in Mainz that stands roughly 6.5 meters (21 feet) tall and 4.5 meters (15 feet) wide, featuring detailed stone carvings with vine reliefs and zodiac symbols. The construction displays craftsmanship visible in both its surviving forms.

The arch was built in the middle of the 3rd century and served as a main passage for a public building in the Roman settlement of Mogontiacum. After Rome's decline, the structure was dismantled and its pieces were later incorporated into the medieval city wall.

The arch displays intricate sculptures of Jupiter and Juno on its keystone, along with seasonal representations and ceremonial scenes that reflect Roman traditions.

The original work stands in the stone hall of the Landesmuseum Mainz, while a full-scale replica has been on display at Ernst-Ludwig-Platz since 1962. Visitors can explore both versions to understand the Roman architecture and how it was transformed across the centuries.

Workers discovered the original architectural elements between 1898 and 1911, where they had been built into the medieval city wall and reused as construction material. This reuse shows how Roman materials were preserved and adapted across many generations.