Arch of Janus, Tetrapylon at Forum Boarium, Rome, Italy.
The Arch of Janus is a four-sided gateway with four massive columns supporting intersecting vaults that form a square structure with passages on each side. The monument rises to about 16 meters high and demonstrates Roman engineering through its solid marble construction.
The structure was built in the fourth century AD near the Forum Boarium and marked an important intersection between the commercial area and the river port. It originally served to shelter merchants at this busy trading hub.
The niches within the structure once held statues, with representations of Roman goddesses such as Roma, Juno, Ceres, and Minerva visible in the vault keystones. These religious images show how important this location was to people's spiritual beliefs.
The structure stands at the intersection of two main roads near the Velabrum district and offers a good orientation point for visitors exploring this part of the ancient city. The location is easy to reach on foot today and can be easily incorporated into a walk through the historic area.
In the Middle Ages, this structure was incorporated into fortifications and used as a defensive tower, which prevented its destruction and enabled its preservation through centuries. This unexpected repurposing played a crucial role in ensuring it survived to the present day.
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