The concept of "triumphal arch" originated in ancient Rome. It was there that a similar structure was erected for a more solemn reception of the winners.
The most famous are the arches of Titus, Trajan, Septimius Severus, Constantine, etc. Images of some of them were even minted on medals during the time of Nero and Augustus.
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, perhaps the most famous of them, was built to commemorate the victory of Napoleon Bonaparte and his army at the Battle of Austerlitz in December 1805. A lot of projects were proposed for implementation, all of them were different and original. There was even a version to present it in the form of a huge stone elephant with a museum located inside so that everyone could learn about all the victories of the emperor. And yet, the Arc de Triomphe, which we know today, became the prototype of a similar structure in Rome, the author of which was Titus. Both columns and openings - everything is completely copied from Italianoriginal.
This majestic structure rises fifty meters high with almost the same width. However, such dry figures cannot convey all the beauty and monumentality that the Parisian Arc de Triomphe has. The project is made in antique style. Beautiful winged maidens blowing fanfares symbolize the triumph and glory of the emperor. Their author is the Swiss architect Jean Jacques Pradier, who was awarded the prize for his not only sculptural, but also artistic achievements.
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, whose photo, together with the image of the Eiffel Tower, can be considered the hallmark of the city, is, according to the authors, a precious reward for the great commander and his legion. The capital of France is not the only place where you can find such a structure. There are quite a lot of them scattered around the world, and most of us have not heard of many of them. However, the Parisian arch is familiar to anyone.
It is decorated with sculptures, each of which can be called a separate masterpiece. For example, "Marseillaise", symbolizing the protest against the Russian army, "Triumph", dedicated to the signing of the Peace of Vienna, "Resistance" and "Peace", the authors of which are Eteks. Unfortunately, this architect is practically unknown in the world, and in France itself he is known only in a narrow circle, although the Arc de Triomphe is in some way famous for his creations.
Napoleon was not destined to see how the monument built in his honor to the glory of the victory, strength and power of France looks like. The construction was completed in 1836, whenthere was no emperor. And only once, in 1810, he saw the layout of the project of his dreams: a wooden arch was built on a stone foundation with a close-fitting fabric decorated for the future project.
In Russia, such pompous gates were arranged at the entrances to the capital and were intended for the solemn entry of commanders. For the first time they were arranged under Peter the Great in 1696, when he returned with a victory from Azov.
And in 1703, not one triumphal arch was built, but three: in honor of Repnin, Sheremetyev and Bruce - the Russian Tsar's associates in the war against Ingermanland. They showed off at the Myasnitsky and Ilyinsky Gates, as well as next to the Zaikospassky Monastery.
In addition to Paris and Moscow, today such triumphal gates stand in the city on the Neva, in Kursk, Novocherkassk, Potsdam, Barcelona, Bucharest, Berlin and even Pyongyang.
