Best Arch

At the ruins of Ctesiphon in Iraq, Taq-i Kisra preserves the monumental vaulted opening of a Sasanian palace hall. Also called the Ctesiphon Arch, it is commonly associated with the sixth century, although its precise dating has been debated. Its scale demonstrates the ambitions of Sasanian builders...

The Gateway Arch is a stainless-steel monument in St. Louis, Missouri, designed by architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1965. Rising 630 feet above the Mississippi River waterfront, its weighted catenary form commemorates the westward expansion of the United States; an internal tram carries visi...

A large natural rock arch gives Cathedral Cove its defining shape on New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula. Known in Maori as Te Whanganui-a-Hei, the coastal area lies within a marine reserve where protected waters form an important part of the attraction. The arch connects neighboring stretches of bea...

The Arch of Septimius Severus is a well-preserved Roman triumphal arch located in the ancient city of Leptis Magna, present-day Libya. Dedicated in AD 203, the four-sided tetrapylon was commissioned to honor Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons, Caracalla and Geta. The structure holds historical s...

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic steel arch structure spanning Sydney Harbour. Constructed in 1932, it represents a significant engineering achievement and remains one of the world’s broadest long-span bridges. It serves as a prominent landmark for residents and visitors alike offering unparal...

Erected over the River Severn in Shropshire in 1779, the Iron Bridge demonstrated that cast iron could form the main structure of a substantial bridge. Thomas Farnolls Pritchard supplied the original design, and Abraham Darby III oversaw its realization and the production of its ironwork. Its arched...

Also known as the Zhaozhou Bridge, Anji Bridge is a stone crossing in Hebei, China, built during the Sui dynasty and traditionally attributed to the craftsman Li Chun. Its construction is generally dated to around 595 to 605 AD. It is recognized as the oldest surviving open-spandrel segmental arch b...

Arch Linux is a highly customizable and lightweight distribution renowned for its do-it-yourself approach. It follows a rolling release model, providing users with the latest software packages as soon as they become available. This requires more technical expertise but offers unparalleled control ov...

The Brandenburg Gate stands as a prominent neoclassical arch in Berlin, Germany. Constructed between 1788 and 1791 by Carl Gotthard Langhans, it represents a significant period of architectural design and German history. The gate served as a symbol of peace and imperial power before becoming inextri...

The Arc de Triomphe stands in Paris as a monumental stone structure built to commemorate French military victories, particularly those during the Napoleonic era. Constructed originally by Napoleon, it honors soldiers and serves as a national memorial. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located benea...

Standing in the Roman Forum, the Arch of Septimius Severus commemorates imperial military victories through monumental architecture and a detailed sculptural program. Dedicated in AD 203, it has a large central passage flanked by smaller openings. Relief panels depict campaigns against the Parthians...

The Arch of Septimius Severus is a marble triumphal arch at the northwest end of the Roman Forum in Rome, dedicated in AD 203 to commemorate Emperor Septimius Severus's victories over the Parthian Empire. The three-bayed arch features relief panels depicting military campaigns and an inscription ori...

Delicate Arch is a freestanding sandstone formation in Arches National Park, Utah, recognizable by its curved span and two substantial supports. Its opening is about 14 meters high; measurements of the opening should not be confused with the overall height of the rock formation. The exposed arch pro...

The Arch of Trajan in Benevento is a second-century Roman honorary arch associated with the opening of the Via Traiana. Built between AD 114 and 117, it celebrates Trajan's rule through a single passage framed by richly carved architectural elements. Corinthian capitals form part of its decoration,...

The Arch of Constantine stands as a monumental stone structure in Rome commemorating Emperor Constantine I’s military triumph. Constructed around 315 AD, it celebrates his victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge and serves as a significant example of Roman triumphal architecture. The arch is not...

The Pont Alexandre III is a steel arch bridge across the Seine River in Paris, France. Constructed in 1900, it’s notable for its elaborate Beaux-Arts design featuring sculpted lampposts and allegorical figures. This landmark bridge serves as a significant transportation route and an admired example...

Praia de Albandeira is a small sheltered cove on Portugal’s Algarve coast, in the municipality of Lagoa. Limestone cliffs and rock formations frame the beach, while the nearby Arco de Albandeira forms a recognizable sea arch above the Atlantic. The cove is used for swimming and beach recreation, but...

The Great Torii of Itsukushima stands in the tidal waters before Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island in Japan. The present wooden gate dates to 1875, continuing a much older tradition at the site. At high tide, water surrounds its supports and creates the familiar impression that the gate floats....

The Arch of Titus stands in Rome as a monumental marble structure commemorating Emperor Titus’s victories. Constructed around 81 AD, it celebrates his triumph following the Roman conquest of Judea during the Jewish War. The arch is notable for its detailed relief carvings depicting scenes from the s...

Designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931, India Gate stands on New Delhi's ceremonial axis. The monumental sandstone arch commemorates soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Thousands of names inscribed on its surf...

In southern France, the Triumphal Arch of Orange preserves a substantial example of Roman monumental architecture outside Italy. UNESCO dates its construction to between AD 10 and 25, rather than 10 BC. Its three openings and sculpted decoration communicate imperial power through scenes of combat an...

At the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, the Arc de Triomphe gives French military remembrance a monumental neoclassical form. Construction extended from 1806 to 1836, beginning under Napoleon and concluding after major political changes. Its sculptural groups and inscriptions commemorate military...

The Salginatobel Bridge spans the Chur River gorge near Schwellen, Switzerland. Constructed in 1930 to designs by Robert Maillart, it is a significant example of reinforced concrete arch bridge engineering. Its innovative design utilizes a double arch and inclined ribs to distribute loads, demonstra...

The Dom Luís I Bridge is a significant steel arch bridge crossing the Douro River in Porto, Portugal. Constructed in 1886 by Théophile Seyrig, it remains one of Europe’s most recognizable and structurally impressive bridges. Its dual-use design accommodates pedestrian and vehicle traffic while offer...

The Arch of Septimius Severus at Leptis Magna in present-day Libya is a Roman quadrifrons, or four-fronted arch, erected around 203 CE. Positioned near the crossing of major streets, it honored Emperor Septimius Severus, who was born at Leptis Magna, together with members of the imperial family. Its...

The Hollow Back Freeze is a complex acrobatic pose achieved by supporting the body upside down and creating a pronounced inward curve of the spine. It requires significant flexibility and core strength. This freeze is commonly practiced by breakdancers, gymnasts, and those involved in acrobatics see...

The Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge spans the Lago Paranoá in Brasília, Brazil. Constructed primarily of steel, it’s notable for its elegant arch design and efficient roadway. Completed in 2002, this bridge serves as a vital transportation link within the capital city and is utilized by commuters, vehic...

The Bixby Creek Bridge spans Big Sur’s dramatic canyon landscape offering a notable example of early concrete arch bridge design. Constructed in 1932, it is an iconic landmark and vital roadway connecting Highway 1 through the region. Engineers, architects, and visitors interested in civil engineeri...

The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a monumental arch in Ypres, Belgium, designed by British architect Reginald Blomfield and inaugurated in 1927. Its stone panels record the names of more than 54,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died in the Ypres Salient before 16 August 1917 and have no known...