Germanicus Arch Amphitheatres / Gallo-Roman Sites in Saintes

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The Germanicus Arch marked the main entrance to the Roman city in front of the bridge that crossed the Charente. Its two arches corresponded to the two traffic directions of the time. Dedicated to the Emperor Tiberius at Drusus and Germanicus, it was built by a noble santon named Caius Julius Rufus around 18-19 A.D.

It is a sober monument decorated with fluted pilasters and composite capitals with an entablature bearing inscriptions. It underwent some transformations in medieval times and was scheduled for demolition in 1843, at the same time as the old bridge. It was saved by the intervention of Prosper Mérimée, thanks to whom the arch was dismantled and then reassembled in Place Bassompierre. Long 15.9m long and 15m high, it is one of the best preserved Roman remains in the city of Saintes.