Arch of Trajan Monument
Ancient Roman triumphal arch near Ancona, Italy
Arch of Trajan at a Glance#
Address: Piazza Matteotti / near Via del Pomerio, Benevento, Italy
Admission: Free to view; Arch of Trajan is in public space - no admission fee
About Arch of Trajan#
The Arch of Trajan in Ancona is a Roman triumphal arch built in the early 2nd century AD to honor Emperor Trajan. It is notable for its well-preserved sculpted reliefs and inscriptions celebrating the emperor and civic benefactions.
The monument’s relief panels depict maritime and military themes linked to the city’s port and Trajan’s building projects. The arch has been studied for its iconography and its place in the urban fabric of Roman Ancona.
Commissioned by the local community during Trajan’s reign, the arch has survived successive periods of change and has been conserved as part of Ancona’s archaeological heritage. It retains much of its original sculptural program despite later alterations to the surrounding area.
It stands at the historical entrance to the harbour in Ancona, in Italy’s Marche region, and is part of the sequence of Roman monuments concentrated around the port.
- Date and decoration: Erected in the early 2nd century AD to honor Emperor Trajan, the arch is decorated with relief panels that record imperial achievements and local civic dedications.
- Harbour location: Located by the historic harbour area, it is frequently visited together with Ancona’s Roman and medieval port structures.
How to Get to Arch of Trajan#
Benevento is reachable by regional trains from Naples (approx. 1-1.5 hours). The arch sits in the historic centre and is a short walk from the Benevento train station and main piazzas.
Tips for Visiting Arch of Trajan#
- Visit at golden hour to photograph the arch's reliefs without harsh shadows.
- Look for the inscription dedicating the arch to Trajan; small details in the carvings recount local history and imperial propaganda.
- Combine with a walk through the nearby Roman Forum area in Benevento for context.
Best Time to Visit Arch of Trajan#
Spring and autumn provide comfortable conditions for exploring Benevento's Roman and medieval layers.
Weather & Climate near Arch of Trajan#
Arch of Trajan's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (697 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 4° | 45 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| February | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 4° | 46 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Good | 5° - 13° | 7° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.8 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.3h |
| May | Very Good | 12° - 21° | 17° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.5h |
| June | Excellent | 16° - 25° | 20° | 57 mm | some cloud | 70% | 2.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| July | Ideal | 18° - 28° | 23° | 41 mm | mostly sunny | 64% | 2.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.9h |
| August | Excellent | 19° - 27° | 23° | 66 mm | mostly sunny | 65% | 2.3 m/s | 1.5 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Excellent | 15° - 24° | 20° | 69 mm | some cloud | 69% | 2.3 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Very Good | 12° - 19° | 15° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 5° | 59 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
