Arch of the Sergii: the Roman triumphal arch in Pula
The Arch of the Sergii (Slavoluk Sergijevaca) is a small Roman triumphal arch standing in the old centre of Pula, in Istria. Built in the late 1st century BC, it honours three members of the Sergii family and once stood against the city's main gate, the Porta Aurea. Its rich carving, inspiration to later architects and position next to other Roman monuments make it an easy and rewarding stop.
The Arch of the Sergii was paid for by a woman, Salvia Postuma Sergia, who had her name carved on it for all to read. It is only about eight metres tall, yet it caught the eye of Michelangelo.
The history of the Arch of the Sergii
The arch dates from the early years of the Roman colony of Pula. It commemorates three members of the powerful Sergii family and above all Lucius Sergius Lepidus, a tribune of the twenty-ninth legion, which fought at the Battle of Actium and was disbanded in 27 BC. This points to a date around 29–27 BC, although some sources give a somewhat wider range in the late 1st century BC. The Sergii remained one of the colony's leading families for centuries.
The monument was paid for by Salvia Postuma Sergia, whose name is carved on the arch together with the words de sua pecunia, “from her own money”. The sources differ on whether she was the wife or the mother of Lepidus. The arch was built against the inner face of a gate in the city wall, the Porta Aurea or Golden Gate, which explains why only the side facing the town is decorated. The gate was demolished in 1829. Through it ran the road from Aquileia towards the forum of the Roman city.
It is a modest structure with a single passage about 8 m high and 4.5 m wide. Pairs of Corinthian columns flank the opening, winged Victories fill the spandrels, and a frieze shows cupids, garlands and ox skulls on either side of the inscription. Two chariots drawn by galloping horses face each other on the frieze. The attic above had three bases for statues of the honoured men, with the tribune in the middle. Inside the passage, vine scrolls, rosettes and an eagle fighting a snake can be made out. The style is late Hellenistic, with strong influences from the East.
The arch later became a model. In the 14th century the Castropola family, then dominant in Pula, claimed descent from the Sergii. Around the 1460s the land entrance to the Arsenal in Venice, one of the earliest works of Venetian Renaissance architecture, was largely based on it. The monument attracted many artists, among them Michelangelo and Piranesi, and a drawing of it by a pupil of Michelangelo is kept in the Wicar museum in Lille.
Curiosities about the Arch of the Sergii
- The inscription states that the arch was paid for “from her own money” by a woman, which is a rare piece of public credit for a female patron.
- Only the side facing the city is decorated, because the arch was built against the inside of a gate.
- The Porta Aurea, or Golden Gate, that stood in front of the arch was demolished in 1829.
- The arch was dedicated to the goddess Minerva as well, and its position near the entrance was meant to bring her protection to the city.
- The entrance to the Venice Arsenal was largely modelled on it around the 1460s.
- In the 14th century the ruling Castropola family traced its ancestry back to the Sergii.
Tours near Arch of the Sergii
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting the Arch of the Sergii
- The arch stands in the old town of Pula and is easy to see on foot; check the surroundings from the town side, where the carving is.
- Look closely at the frieze, the winged Victories and the paired columns, and at the inscription naming Salvia Postuma.
- It sits next to other Roman monuments, including the Temple of Augustus, the Porta Gemina and the Chapel of St Mary Formosa.
- Fort Punta Christo lies some 5 km away and is another stop in the area.
- No detailed practical information is given in the sources; for any guided visit, check current information locally.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Arch of the Sergii is
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Photos of Arch of the Sergii
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Questions
What is the Arch of the Sergii and where is it?
It is a Roman triumphal arch in the old centre of Pula, Croatia. It was built in the late 1st century BC to honour three members of the Sergii family.
Who built the Arch of the Sergii?
It was paid for by Salvia Postuma Sergia, whose name appears on the arch with the words de sua pecunia, meaning “from her own money”.
Why is only one side decorated?
The arch was built against the inside of the city gate known as the Porta Aurea, so only the town-side face was visible and richly carved.
How old is the Arch of the Sergii?
It dates from the late 1st century BC, with sources pointing to around 29–27 BC, because Lepidus's legion was disbanded in 27 BC.
Why is it also called the Golden Gate?
It stood at the Porta Aurea, or Golden Gate, in the Roman walls. The gate itself was demolished in 1829.
What else is there to see nearby?
Several other Roman monuments stand close by, including the Temple of Augustus, the Porta Gemina and the Chapel of St Mary Formosa.
Also nearby
Chapel of St Mary Formosa
Pula · sixth-century chapel, last trace of a lost basilica
250 m away
Porta Gemina
Pula · twin-arched Roman gate that survived burial
300 m away
Temple of Augustus
Pula · Roman temple to Augustus on the old forum
450 m away
Fort Punta Christo
Pula · vast Austro-Hungarian fort guarding the bay
4.5 km away