Arch of the Sergii

The Arch of the Sergii is a Roman triumphal arch in Pula, Croatia, and one of the best-preserved monuments of the ancient city. It stands at the corner of Sergijevaca street and Giardini square, right at the edge of the historic core, so you will pass it on the way to the main town square.

What is the Arch of the Sergii?

It is a compact, single-opening gateway of elegant proportions, built from pale Istrian stone. Despite the triumphal form, it was not raised to celebrate a victory over an enemy. It honors a family. The arch commemorates three members of the Sergii, an influential clan of ancient Pola, the Roman name of today's Pula.

Who built it, and for whom?

The patron was Salvia Postuma Sergia, a woman of the Sergii family. Her name is carved in stone beside those of the men she honored: Lucius Sergius Lepidus, his father Lucius Sergius, and his uncle Gnaeus Sergius. Sources describe her relationship to Lepidus differently. Most call her his wife, while some argue she was his mother.

Lepidus served as a military tribune of the Twenty-Ninth Legion, which fought at Actium. The monument recalls his military and civic career, and works as a family memorial shaped like a gate.

When was it built?

The date is debated. Some scholars place construction in 29-27 BCE, others suggest a slightly later period, around 20-10 BCE. All agree on the late first century BCE, the dawn of Augustus's rule.

What to look for

• Corinthian columns on both sides of the passage, set on tall pedestals.
• Winged Victories in the spandrels above the opening.
• Inscriptions with the names of the Sergii, still clearly legible.
• Rich ornament showing Hellenistic and Asia Minor influences, a sign of how cosmopolitan ancient Pola was.

The arch was built at a former city gate, today known as the Golden Gate (Porta Aurea), in the line of the ancient town walls. The walls were later taken down, and the monument remained as a free-standing landmark in the streetscape.

Visiting tips

The arch stands in open public space, so you can see it for free at any hour. Photos work best in early morning or late afternoon light, when the stone turns warm and the carved details are picked out by shadow. Walking through leads onto Sergijevaca, one of the main pedestrian streets of the old town, lined with cafes and shops.

A visit takes only a few minutes, but it is worth slowing down to study the inscriptions and reliefs. The arch combines easily in one walk with Pula's other Roman sights, including the amphitheater and the Temple of Augustus.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Arch of the Sergii? In central Pula, at the corner of Sergijevaca street and Giardini square.

Is there an entrance fee? No. The monument stands on the street and can be viewed freely.

Who does the arch commemorate? Lucius Sergius Lepidus, his father Lucius, and his uncle Gnaeus. The patron was Salvia Postuma Sergia.

How long should I plan for? Ten to fifteen minutes is enough, especially if you pair it with a stroll through the old town.

Is it a genuine triumphal arch? It has the form of one, but it is above all a family monument rather than a memorial to a specific military triumph.