2-370-329 - Samuel Magal/Sites & Photos/Heritage Images

Four-sided arch, Caparra, Spain, 2007. This arch was built between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD during the Flavian age and served as the physical crossing between the cardo maximus and decumanus of the Roman city of Capera. It is the only monumental arch with quadrifons (four-sided arch) found in Spain. It is built of ashlars with an inner core of concrete. Its four pillars are placed at the four corners of a square and are joined by four semi-circular arches. Inside, the intersection between the perpendicular barrel vaults was made as a groin vault. The arches on the facades are decorated with a little archivault on their exterior side. Each pillar is supported by a basement topped by a cornice. At the northern and southern sides four bases were built - two at each facade - that should have supported equestrian statues. On one of the bases there is an inscription, reading To Bolosea, daughter of Pellius and to Fidius, son of Macrius Fidius Macer, as a will. The arch must have been crowned by an architrave, a frieze with cornice and an attic. Of those, only the inner concrete survives.