You'll see detailed panels depicting the triumphal procession of 71 CE, showing off the spoils from the fall of Jerusalem. This is one of the few places you can see artifacts from Herod's Temple, including the famous menorah, which inspired the State of Israel's emblem.
Now, this isn’t just any old arch. It's the blueprint for many triumphal arches around the world, including the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Talk about setting trends!
Architecturally, it's got fluted and unfluted columns-thanks to some 19th-century restoration. Initially, Rabirius, a favorite architect of Domitian, might have had a hand in it. But who’s to say? Historians are still debating it!
Funny enough, this very arch was transformed into a fortified tower in the Middle Ages by the Frangipani family, who added an extra story and left a few beam holes as evidence. They basically gave this ancient monument a medieval loft conversion!
In modern times, Pope Paul IV made it the site of a yearly oath of submission, and it underwent significant restorations led by Raffaele Stern and then Valadier in the early 1800s. These efforts were so impressive, they became a model for restorations elsewhere.
A quirky fact: Jews were once banned from walking under the arch-a ban lifted only in 1948 with the founding of Israel. The change was officially recognized during a Hanukkah event in 1997. Better late than never, right?
The Arch of Titus measures around 15.4 meters in height, 13.5 meters in width, and 4.75 meters in depth. The inner archway is an impressive 8.3 meters tall and 5.36 meters wide, complete with victory personifications and relief sculptures of Titus' apotheosis.
So, take your time to appreciate the art, the history, and the blend of ancient and medieval influences on this magnificent arch. And snap a picture or two-Titus would probably have liked that!
