Rome contains the most obelisks in the world!
The Egyptian obelisks were brought here during the period of Emperor Augustus, when Egypt was under Roman rule. During the time of the Pharaohs obelisks were considered symbols of the sun and placed in front of the entrances to temples, adorned with commemorative engravings.
While for Rome, the gigantic basalt steles have symbolic meaning as the spoils of war and evidence of imperial strength.
The obelisks made by the Romans were constructed during the period of Domitian in imitation of the Egyptian versions.
Prone to collapsing and being covered over, they were discovered during excavations and given new sites chosen for their strategic locations in the city, to highlight the new urban layout.
Piazza S. Pietro
The Vatican Obelisk awaits us as we head towards the Tiber and St Peter’s Square. Of Egyptian origin, this 25.5m high obelisk reaches to 40m with its pedestal and cross. It has not been engraved with any hieroglyphics, and is the only obelisk that has never collapsed. Brought to Rome by Caligula in 37 BC to embellish the Circus of Nero, it originally stood in the sacristy area of the current basilica. It was raised in the centre of the square in 1586 by Pope Sixtus V.
Piazza Navona
In the centre of Piazza Navona is the Agonalis Obelisk. Dating from the period of Emperor Domitian, it is 16.53m high and was initially located in his villa in Albano. In 311, Maxentius wanted it for his villa on the Appian Way, and it was only in 1651 under Pope Innocent X that Bernini added the obelisk to his Fountain of the Four Rivers (‘Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi’) in Piazza Navona.
Piazza della Rotonda
Only a few hundred metres away is Piazza della Rotonda and the Pantheon, in front of which is an Egyptian obelisk that measures 6.34m in height, and 14.52m with its cross and pedestal. Emperor Domitian brought the obelisk to Rome to adorn the temple dedicated to Isis and Serapis in Campus Martius. It was rediscovered in 1373 and Pope Clement XI moved it to its current position on the fountain by Giacomo della Porta in 1711.
Piazza della Minerva
Behind the Pantheon in Piazza della Minerva, you will find the smallest Egyptian obelisk at just 5.47m in height, reaching little over 12m with the pedestal, little elephant and cross. The monument dates back to the 6th century BC. Following the request by Pope Alexander VII in 1667, it was erected in front of the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, at whose monastery it had been discovered. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was in charge of installing the obelisk, for which he designed a small elephant to carry it.
Why not follow our obelisk itinerary? Not all of them, just the most important examples.
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