Vatican Obelisk

The Vatican Obelisk, majestic and imposing, towers in the heart of St. Peter’s Square, a tangible symbol of the greatness and power of the Vatican City. This ancient red granite monolith, with its millennia-old history and architectural grandeur, captures the gaze and imagination of anyone who beholds it. Dating back to ancient Egypt, this obelisk is one of the many testimonies of the interaction between Rome and the ancient Mediterranean world. Its history is shrouded in mystery and legend, with origins dating back to the time of Pharaoh Nebkaure Amenemhat II, during the 12th Egyptian dynasty around 2000 BC. It was initially erected in the Temple of Heliopolis, dedicated to the sun god Ra, and later transported to Rome in 37 AD by order of Emperor Caligula, to adorn Nero’s Circus as a symbol of his power and megalomania. However, the obelisk found its final position in St. Peter’s Square only in 1586, under the pontificate of Pope Sixtus V. The transportation and erection of the obelisk were a titanic feat for the time, led by the architect and engineer Domenico Fontana. An ingenious system of pulleys, ropes, and beams was needed to lift and position the obelisk over 25 meters high, with a base of nearly 330 tons, in the heart of the square, where it still dominates today.