Porte Noire

The Porte Noire ("Black Gate") is a Gallo-Roman triumphal arch in Besancon, erected around 175 AD in honour of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Standing at the southern end of the ancient cardo, the limestone arch measures 5.6 m wide and 11.2 m high, with richly sculpted decoration depicting war scenes believed to show victories of Lucius Verus in the Roman-Parthian War of 161-166 AD. It is the most emblematic Roman monument in the city's Saint-Jean district and was later incorporated into the city's fortifications.