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Origin and history

The Roman Arch of Carpentras is an iconic monument of the first century, built in homage to Emperor Tiberius or his father, founder of the Roman colony of Colonia Julia Meminorum (now Carpentras). In ancient times, the city was one of the 22 most important Gallic cities and the capital of the Memini. The arch marked the entrance to the forum, the political and social heart of the city, where the curia and the basilica were located. Its architecture, similar to that of the Arch of Augustus, makes it a rare vestige of Roman times in Provence.

According to historiographic tradition, the arch was re-used in the construction of the Romanesque cathedral of Carpentras, destroyed in 1404. This re-use, common in the Middle Ages, reflects the loss of symbolic significance of ancient monuments. Later, in the seventeenth century, the arch was integrated into the episcopal palace (now Palace of Justice) by Cardinal Bichi, without suffering major damage. Lateral reliefs, representing oriental and chained captives, symbolize Roman victories.

In the 19th century, the arch was partially covered in the buildings of the Palace of Justice, especially in its kitchen, before being cleared. Ranked among the first historical monuments in 1840, he was the subject of aborted displacement projects, such as that of 1879 to transfer him to the Musée de Saint-Germain. In 1968, the destruction of adjacent prisons made the bow more accessible. Its reliefs, comparable to those of the Orange Arch, make it a unique testimony of provincial Roman art.

The descriptions of the arch, such as Jules Formigé's in 1909, highlight his sober architecture: a unique opening framed by canned pilasters, and side faces carved of trophies and captives. These sets, inspired by Roman military victories, evoke Rome's domination over the conquered peoples. The arch, today backed by St. Siffrein Cathedral, remains a symbol of Carpentras' ancient heritage.

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