Colosseum
Rome, Italy
Arch of Constantine, Rome
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Photo: NikonZ7II (Paris Orlando), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free, viewed from outside — the arch is fenced
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, free, viewed from outside the fence
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 15 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Date
- AD 315 — for Constantine's tenth year in power
- Size
- ≈ 21 m tall, ≈ 25.9 m wide
- Time needed
- 10–15 minutes
- Nearby
- Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum
- Location
- Piazza del Colosseo; Metro B Colosseo, 2 minutes
Key facts
AD 315dedicated to Constantine by the Senate and People of Rome
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English Wikipedia≈ 21 mtall — the largest surviving Roman triumphal arch
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English Wikipedia3 baysa central passage and two side ones
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English WikipediaSpoliareliefs and statues reused from Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius
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English Wikipedia8 Dacianscaptive statues on the attic, taken from Trajan's Forum
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English WikipediaArch of Constantine history
The Senate and People of Rome dedicated the arch in AD 315, marking Constantine's tenth year in power and his victory over his rival Maxentius in 312. Constantine was the first emperor to back Christianity, yet the arch carries no Christian symbols — its inscription carefully credits 'the inspiration of the divinity'.
It's the largest Roman triumphal arch still standing: about 21 metres high and 25.9 metres wide, with three bays. In the Middle Ages the Frangipane family built it into their fortifications, which may be why it survived so well.
A monument made of other monuments
The fascinating thing about the arch is its spolia — pieces reused from older monuments. The roundels over the side arches come from Hadrian's time, showing hunts and sacrifices. The rectangular panels on the attic are from a monument to Marcus Aurelius. The big reliefs inside the central passage and the statues of captive Dacians come from Trajan's Forum. The earlier emperors' heads were recarved as Constantine.
The carvings made for the arch itself in the 4th century are the narrow frieze above the side bays — noticeably flatter and simpler, a neat lesson in how Roman art changed over two centuries.
What the inscription says
The attic inscription, repeated on both faces, reads in translation: "To the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantine, the greatest, pious and blessed Augustus, because, inspired by the divine and by greatness of mind, he avenged the state with his army — the Senate and People of Rome dedicated this arch, decorated with triumphs." Smaller texts over the side bays wish him well for his tenth and twentieth years in power.
What to look for
- The attic inscription — the Senate's dedication to Constantine.
- Hadrianic roundels — eight circular reliefs of hunting and sacrifice.
- Marcus Aurelius panels — eight rectangular reliefs at the top.
- Dacian statues — eight figures on the attic columns, from Trajan's Forum.
- 4th-century frieze — the narrow band above the side bays, made for Constantine.
- The view through the arch — from the north the Colosseum frames itself in the central bay.
How to get to the Arch of Constantine
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Colosseum is about 3 min away on foot.
- Palatine Hill is about 7 min away on foot.
- Domus Aurea is about 8 min away on foot.
More tips
- Metro line B to Colosseo — 2 minutes' walk.
- It stands between the Colosseum and the Palatine entrance on Via di San Gregorio.
- Tram 3 and buses 51, 75, 85 and 87 stop around Piazza del Colosseo.
- The Via Sacra runs past it to the Roman Forum's Arch of Titus gate.
Is it worth seeing?
Yes — you'll be at the Colosseum anyway, it's free, and it's the best example of Rome recycling its own past. Walk all the way round: each side has different reliefs. If triumphal arches interest you, compare it with the Arches of Titus and Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum.
At the arch
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Ancient Rome: compare and choose
Ancient sites in Rome rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Pantheon | 82 | 30 min | ≈ €5 | 26 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colosseum | 73 | 2 h | ≈ €18 | 3 min walk |
| Roman Forum | 63 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | 9 min walk |
| Circus Maximus | 63 | 30 min | Free | 10 min walk |
| Trajan's Column | 60 | 15 min | Free | 15 min walk |
| Capitoline Hill | 58 | 30 min | Free | 13 min walk |
| Arch of Constantineyou are here | 57 | 15 min | Free | — |
| Castel Sant'Angelo | 57 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €15–20 | 43 min walk |
| Palatine Hill | 54 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | 6 min walk |
| Mausoleum of Augustus | 53 | 45 min | ≈ €5, booking | 37 min walk |
| Largo di Torre Argentina | 53 | 30 min | Free from street; walkways ≈ €5 | 22 min walk |
| Pyramid of Cestius | 52 | 20 min | Free | 29 min walk |
| Appian Way | 49 | 3 h | Free | 6.4 km |
| Domus Aurea | 49 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ €18, with VR ≈ €26 | 7 min walk |
| Mouth of Truth | 49 | 20 min | Donation ≈ €2 | 13 min walk |
| Baths of Caracalla | 48 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ €8 | 19 min walk |
| Catacombs of Rome | 48 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €10–12 with guide | 14 min walk |
| Ara Pacis | 47 | 1 h | ≈ €13–15 | 39 min walk |
| Theatre of Marcellus | 47 | 20 min | Free | 16 min walk |
| Vatican Museums | 44 | 3 h | ≈ €25 | 3.5 km |
| Capitoline Museums | 43 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ €15–19.50 | 13 min walk |
| Baths of Diocletian | 42 | 1 h | Basilica free; museum ≈ €10–12 | 27 min walk |
| Basilica of San Clemente | 39 | 1 h | Upper free; excavations ≈ €10–12 | 10 min walk |
| Imperial Fora | 38 | 1 h | Free from the street; museum ≈ €13–15 | 11 min walk |
| Testaccio | 38 | 2 h | Free | 35 min walk |
| Palazzo Massimo | 34 | 2 h | ≈ €10–12 combined ticket | 25 min walk |
| Ostia Antica | 31 | 3 h | ≈ €12–18 | 22.6 km |
| Hadrian's Villa | 29 | 3 h | ≈ €12–15 | 24.3 km |
Colosseum and the Golden House
The Domus Aurea with VR in the morning, then the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine next door.
- Domus Aurea1 h 15 min · ≈ €18, with VR ≈ €26
- 5 min walk from the previous stopColosseum2 h · ≈ €18
- 3 min walk from the previous stopArch of Constantineyou are here15 min · Free
3 places · about 3 h 38 min with walks · 8 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- Free to see — walk all the way round.
- Best shot: the Colosseum behind the arch.
- Floodlit after dark.
- Hadrian's roundels sit above the side bays.
Questions
When was the Arch of Constantine built?
In AD 315, for Constantine's tenth year as emperor.
Where is the Arch of Constantine?
Beside the Colosseum, between it and the Palatine; Colosseo metro.
Can you walk through the Arch of Constantine?
No, it's fenced off; you view it from outside for free.
How tall is the Arch of Constantine?
About 21 m high and 25.9 m wide.
Why does it show other emperors' reliefs?
They were taken from monuments of Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius and recut as Constantine.
How long do you need?
10–15 minutes.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia, Arch of Constantine
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