Art and culture 

Roman arch of Cáparra

Cáparra was an important town in Roman times. Nowadays some vestiges of that glory remains, most outstandingly its peculiar four-sided arch.

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  2. Roman arch of Cáparra

In the centre of an ancient Roman town


Location and Contact:

A-66 motorway. Exit 455 towards Guijo de Granadilla, road CC-13.3.
Oliva de Plasencia , Cáceres (Extremadura)
Opening times

WINTER (1st October to 31st May): Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays from 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm.

SUMMER (1st June to 30th September): Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays from 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm.

Closed Sunday afternoon and Monday.

  • Cáparra was an important town in Roman times. Nowadays some vestiges of that glory remains, most outstandingly its peculiar four-sided arch.

    The Roman town of Capera (now Cáparra) once stood the dehesa of Casablanca, in the municipalities of Oliva de Plasencia and Guijo de Granadilla. The Silver Way cut through the middle of the town, which gradually decreased in importance until disappearing after the road fell into disuse.

    Currently only some traces are left, most remarkably the splendid arch, unique in Spain with these characteristics, as this is a quadrifrons arch, meaning it has four sides. It stood in the centre of the town, surrounded by the main monuments, such as the thermae, some remains of which can still be seen today.

    It is estimated that it would have been built in the late 1st century AD by order of Fidus Macer, according to the inscriptions on the arch itself. It rises up on four pillars that support four semicircular arches, and each pillar rests on a base finished with a cornice. One can also see pedestals on the sides that faced the Roman road, where statues or effigies probably stood.

     

  • Origin:
  • 1st century
  • Construction:
  • Arch
  • Art period:
  • Romanisation
  • Period in history:
  • Romanisation
  • 1st century
  • Official name :
  • Property of Cultural Interest
  • Accessibility:

    • Disabled access
    • Admits guide dogs
    • Accessible car park
    • Toilet for disabled people in common areas

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