Throughout history, monumental arches have been built in the different parts of the world. These commemorative or triumphal arches which are large monuments were built to honor important men or events.

Here are some of the most famous commemorative or triumphal arches in the world from the Renaissance up to the 20th century.

Arc de Triomphe: Paris, France

First on the list is the famous Arc de Triomphe, an iconic Triumphal arch located in Paris, France. It stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the Place de l’Etoile (Star Square). The arch honors those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. On the inside and the top of the arc there are all of the names of generals and wars fought. Underneath is the tomb of the unknown soldiers from World War I.

The monument stands 49.5 meters (165 ft) in height, 45 meters (148 ft) wide and 22 meters (72 ft) deep. It is the second largest triumphal arch in existence (replaced in 1984 by a Korean arch of triumph).

Triumphal Arch of Carousel: Paris, France

Another well-known triumphal arch in Paris, France is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. It is located on the Place du Carrousel, just to the west of the Louvre. The composition commemorates the Restoration of the Bourbons following Napoleon’s downfall.

Bradenburg Gate: Berlin Germany

The magnificent Brandenburg Gate is a former city gate and one of the main symbols of Berlin, the capital of Germany. The gate is the monumental entry to Unter den Linden, the renowned boulevard of linden trees which formerly led directly to the city palace of the Prussian monarchs. It was commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II as a sign of peace and was built from 1788 to 1791. Today, it is considered one of Europe’s most famous landmarks.

Siegestor or Victory Gate: Munich, Germany

Another famous arch of Germany is the Siegestor or Victory Gate in Munich. It is a three-arched triumphal arch crowned with a statue of Bavaria with a lion-quadriga, similar in style to the Arch of Constantine in Rome, the Marble Arch in London, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Bradenburg Tor in Berlin. It is located between the university and the Ohmstrabe, on the intersection of the Leopolstrabe and the Ludwigstrabe.

Ottawa War Memorial: Canada

This tall granite cenotaph with accreted bronze sculptures that stands in Confederation Square, Ottawa called as the National War Memorial, also known as The Response, serves as the federal war memorial for Canada.

Originally built to commemorate World War I, in 1982 the memorial was also inscribed with the dates “1939-1945,” for World War II, and “1950-1953,” for the Korean War. Further, it also now symbolizes those Canadians who have died in other wars and on peacekeeping duties. In 2000, the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added to the memorial site.

Peace Arch: Canadian Side

This Peace Arch is located in Surrey, British Columbia. Its counterpart in the USA is located in Blaine, Washington.

Marble Arch: London, United Kingdom

This splendid arch called the Marble Arch is a white Carara marble monument located near Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, at the western end of Oxford Street in London, England. Historically, only members of the royal family and the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery were allowed to pass through the arch.

Wellington Arch: London, England

Wellington Arch is another grandiose triumphal arch located to the south of Hyde Park in Central London. It is also known as Constitution Arch or (originally) the Green Park Arch. The arch, and Marble Arch to the north of Hyde Park, were both planned in 1825 by George IV to commemorate Britain’s victories in the Napoleonic Wars.

Triumphal Arch: Lisbon, Portugal

This marvelous triumphal arch is located in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The arch is decorated with statues of historical figures, including Vasco da Gamma and the Marques de Pombal.

The Soldiers and Sailors’ Arch: New York, USA

This impressive arch was built for the American soldiers and sailors at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, New York. It is an 11-acre (4.4 hectare) oval plaza that forms the main entrance to Prospect Park.

Newport News Victory Arch: Virginia, USA

The Newport News Victory Arch or simply Victory Arch is a monument erected in Newport News, Virginia, first in 1919 and then rebuilt in 1962. The Victory Arch was established as a memorial to those who served in the American armed forces during periods of war.

Washington Arch: New York City, NY, USA

Another historic arch in the US is the Washington Arch in Washington Square Park, one of the best-known of New York City’s 1,700 public parks.

National Memorial Arch

One of the most significant arches in the United States is the National Memorial Arch. It is dedicated “to the officers and private soldiers of the Continental Army December 19, 1777 June 19, 1778”. The Arch is located in Valley Forge National Historic Park in Pennsylvania. The Arch was built in 1910 by an act of the 61st Congress.

Menin Gate: Flanders, Belgium

The historic Menin Gate Memorial in Flanders, Belgium, marks the starting point for one of the main roads out of the town that led Allied soldiers to the front line during World War I. It was built by the British government, the Menin Gate Memorial opened on July 24, 1927 as a monument dedicated to the missing British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the fierce battles around the Ypres Salient area who have no known grave.

Patuxai or Gate of Triumph: Vientiane, Laos

The word Patuxai literally means Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph. It is formerly the Anousavary or Anosavari Monument, a monument in the center of Vientiane, the capital of Laos built in 1962 or 1968.

The arch is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. Although resembling the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, it is typically Laotian, decorated with many kinnari figures: half woman, half bird.

Arch of the Cinquantenaire, Brussels

This intricately designed Arch was planned for the world exhibition of 1880 and was meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Belgium. The monument was finally completed by way of private funding in 1905, just in time for the 75th anniversary of the Belgian independence. It is the widest and second highest (after Paris) triumphal arch in the world.

Arch of Triumph: Pyongyang, North Korea

The elegant Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang was built to commemorate the Korean resistance to Japan from 1925 to 1945. It was built in 1982 on the Triumph Return Square at the foot of Moran hill in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. The monument was built to honor and glorify President Kim Il-sung’s role in the resistance against Japanese rule. Inaugurated on the occasion of his 70th birthday, each of its 25,500 blocks of finely-dressed white granite represents a day of his life up to that point.

Arch of the Centuries: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

The spectacular Arch of the Centuries along España Boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila is a monument in the University Of Santo Tomas (UST) that stands 15 meters away from the University’s main vehicular entrance.

It was originally erected at Intramuros, where UST was originally found. When the University transferred to its present location at Sampaloc, the Arch was also carried piece-by-piece and was re-erected at the front of the main vehicular entrance of the University.

Moscow Triumphal Gate: St. Petersburg, Russia

This gigantic neoclassical triumphal arch in St. Petersburg, Russia is called the Moscow Triumphal Gate. The monument: built mainly in cast iron: was erected in 1834 -1838 in the memory of the Russian victory in the Russo-Turkish War, 1828- 1829.

Narva Triumphal Gate: St. Petersburg, Russia

This triumphal arch was built in 1814 to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon. Narva Triumphal Gate was erected in the vast Narva Square, Saint Petersburg.

Triumphal Arch: Bucharest, Romania

This triumphal arch is located in the northern part of Bucharest, the capital of Romania. The first, wooden, triumphal arch was built hurriedly, after Romania gained its independence in 1878, so that the victorious troops could march under it. Another temporary arch was built on the same site, in 1922, after World War I, which was demolished in 1935 to make way for the current triumphal arch, which was inaugurated in September 1936.

Triumphal Arch: Barcelona, Spain

This huge and stylish Triumphal Arch is an archway structure in Barcelona, Spain. It was built for the 1888 Universal exhibition, as its main access gate. The arch is built in reddish brickwork in the Moorish Revival style. The top of the arch is decorated with the Barcelona coat of arms as well as a representation of all 49 other Spanish provinces. The arch is located between Passeig de Lluis Companys and Passeig de Sant Joan.

Gateway of India: Mumbai, India

This basalt arch of 26 meters high is a monument in Mumbai, India is called the Gateway of India. It is located on the waterfront in South Mumbai. The Gateway is traditionally the first thing visitors arriving by boat would see of Mumbai. It is located next to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. Behind the Gateway steps lead down to the waterfront, where boat trips can be had to locations such as Elephants Island.

India Gate

Another popular and important arch in India is the India Gate. It is a war memorial located in New Delhi, the country’s capital commemorating the Indian dead of the First World War. The India Gate today also houses the Indian Army’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Hands of Victory: Baghdad, Iraq

One of Baghdad’s sights and monuments is the pair of triumphal arches called the Swords of Qadisiyah, also known as the Hands of Victory. The arches are located in central Baghdad, Iraq. Each arch consists of a pair of hands holding crossed swords. The two arches mark the entrances to a parade-ground constructed to commemorate then Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s declaration of victory over Iran in the Iran- Iraq war (though the war was considered by many to have ended in stalemate). The arches were opened to the public on August 8, 1989.

Arch 22: Banjul, Gambia

The youngest arch on the list is Arch 22, a unique commemorative arch situated on the road into Banjul in The Gambia. It was built in 1996 to mark the military coup d’etat which over threw the democratically elected government, and saw the rise to power on July 22, 1994 of President Yahya Jammeh and his Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council. A statue of the “unknown soldier” can be seen near the base of the arch. The soldier is carrying a baby in one hand, making the peace sign with the other hand, and has a rifle strapped across his back.

Most of these arches were built to honor our ancestors who fought and died for freedom. Experience is the best teacher; we should never let those things happen again. Learn from history; always remember that the best thing in life is free.

For more related articles see

The World’s Most Remarkable Palaces and Their Amazing Features

World’s Notable Buildings with the Most Remarkable Domes

Best-Preserved and Surviving Roman Triumphal Arches

World’s Most Historic and Notable Columns

Top 10 Most Famous Tombs in the World

The World’s Most Spectacular Obelisks