Arch of Cabanes: A Roman Funerary Monument in Castellón, Spain

Visitor Information

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Country: Spain

Civilization: Roman

Remains: Civic

History

The Arch of Cabanes is located in the municipality of Cabanes, within the province of Castellón, in the eastern region of Spain. It was built by the Romans during the 2nd century AD, as part of the infrastructure along the ancient Roman road known as the via Augusta. This road was a major route connecting various parts of the Roman Empire on the Iberian Peninsula.

Constructed in the Roman Imperial period, the arch likely served as a private funerary monument linked to a nearby rural villa. Archaeological finds such as ceramic fragments and coins at its base confirm its 2nd-century origin.

By the Middle Ages, the arch was already recognized as a landmark, appearing in a 1243 document known as the Carta Puebla, which recorded local territorial and administrative details. In the 19th century, concerns about preserving the monument led to changes in the road’s course beneath it. In 1873, the provincial monument commission rerouted the road to prevent damage to the structure.

In the 20th century, the arch gained official protection. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931 and included among Spain’s national artistic treasures. More recent conservation efforts include a 2004 plan focused on protecting both the Roman road and the arch, and a 2020 multidisciplinary conservation initiative led by architect Jaime Prior y Llombart. These measures aim to preserve the arch as an important cultural and historical relic.

Remains

The Arch of Cabanes is a partially preserved Roman triumphal arch measuring about 5.8 meters tall and 6.92 meters wide. It stands on granite ashlar foundations and is built from limestone blocks carefully placed without mortar, a technique known as dry-laid masonry. The arch consists of two square-shaped pylons supporting a semicircular arch made of fourteen wedge-shaped stones called voussoirs, arranged in a radial pattern.

Only the lower portion of the monument remains intact; the upper sections, including the entablature (the horizontal structure above the arch), spandrels (the triangular spaces between the arch and the rectangular frame), and decorative mouldings have disappeared over time. The pylons still show moulded bases and imposts, which are the transitional blocks between the vertical supports and the arch itself.

The arch’s design is simple and typical of Roman arches found throughout the empire, reflecting a common architectural style for such structures. It is believed to have functioned as a funerary monument connected to a nearby rural villa, marking the site along the via Augusta.

Today, the arch remains in situ, standing as a fragmentary but significant example of Roman construction. Protective measures have helped preserve its condition, preventing further deterioration caused by traffic and environmental factors.