The Arch of Janus - Rome

The Arch of Janus, also known as the Arch of Constantine, is a four-sided arch and is located in Forum Boarium, just above the Cloaca Maxima, on the slopes of the Palatine hill. The name Janus probably derives from the Latin word meaning ianus or covered walkway, door, on account of its function as a place of passage, meeting and important crossroads of ancient Rome. It is an imposing structure built with marble slabs, many of which were reused here, with four pillars that support one cross vault and two rows of niches on either side once occupied by statues. After having undergone numerous transformations, the higher floor, was destroyed in 1827. After winning the World Monuments Watch in 2016, the project for the restoration of the Arch was included in the World Monuments Fund programs which started in 2016, thanks to Amex funds, together with funding from the Soprintendenza Speciale ai Beni Archeologici of Rome. The exterior architectural surfaces of part of the west side and the relief of the monument were restored and the covering and the architectural structure were analysed (see section "Projects"). (Photo by E.Fontolan)