Overview:

: The Vatican Obelisk is an ancient Egyptian obelisk located in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City. It was erected at the current site in 1586. The obelisk is 23.5 meters (77 ft) high and flanked on either side by two fountains. The obelisk is made of granite and stands on a base of conglomerate. The inscribed hieroglyphs on the obelisk date to the 16th-century BC and commemorate Pharaoh Thutmoses III. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

. The Vatican Obelisk is the largest obelisk in the world at 135 feet high and is located in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. It was originally brought to Rome from Egypt in 37 A.D. and re-erected in the square in 1586 by Pope Sixtus V. The obelisk is decorated with bronze plaques at its base, depicting the arms of Pope Sixtus V, his coat of arms, and the illustrations from the life of St. Peter. The Pope also included several Christian symbols on the monuments, including the four-faced clock dial bearing a cross and the arms of the Chigi family. The sides of the obelisk are inscribed with passages from Psalm 67. It is crowned by a 13 foot-high bronze Cross. The obelisk is seen as a major symbol of Vatican City, representing the power of the papacy and Christian faith. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The 40-meter obelisk located in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City has a long and fascinating history. It was brought to Rome in 1586 from Egypt and had been originally placed by Pharaoh Thutmose III in Heliopolis in the 15th century BC. The obelisk was commissioned by Caligula before his assassination and was then moved to the Circus of Nero in Rome. After Caligula's death in 41 AD, the Roman Senate transferred the obelisk to the Vatican. It was placed in its current spot in 1586 by Domenico Fontana, an Italian architect. He set the obelisk up in a short period of just two months. It was the first thing one saw upon entering the plaza, and it was designed to reflect the papacy of Pope Sixtus V. The obelisk itself is made of granite and is the tallest in Rome. It has both Egyptian hieroglyphics and Latin inscriptions commemorating Pope Sixtus V, as well as a cross on top. Over the centuries, the Vatican obelisk has been subjected to damage by earthquakes and lightning strikes. In 1748, Pope Benedict XIV had it renovated, during which time it was slightly raised. In 1939, then-Pope Pius XII had the obelisk moved to a new spot in St. Peter's Square. It was carefully transported over two days and reinstalled in its new position. In 2013, Pope Francis had the obelisk restored to its original height. This was done in a year-long project to restore the artwork, statues, and other features of St. Peter's Square. The restoration included reinforcing the base of the obelisk and replacing parts of the spire. Today, the Vatican Obelisk stands proudly as a symbol of the Catholic faith in St. Peter's Square. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Vatican Obelisk is one of the oldest monuments in the world, having been erected in 1586. 2. The obelisk was originally constructed in Heliopolis, Egypt some 3,500 years ago. 3. It stands at 75 feet tall and is made of red granite. 4. The original inscriptions of the obelisk, which still remain today, tell of its origin and its journey to the Vatican. 5. It was brought to Rome in 36 BC by the Roman emperor Caligua and originally stood in the Circus of Nero. 6. It was moved to its current location in 1586 by Pope Sixtus V. 7. The obelisk is the world’s largest standing Egyptian obelisk. 8. It is the center of St Peter’s Square, surrounded by four fountains. 9. The meaning behind the obelisk is difficult to decipher as Caligua originally had it erected symbolizing his vanity. 10. The obelisk is the oldest monument in Vatican City and the 4th oldest in the world. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.