description Vatican Obelisk Overview
The Vatican Obelisk is an ancient Egyptian monolith located at the center of St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Originally quarried in Aswan and erected in Heliopolis, it lacks hieroglyphic inscriptions. The Roman Emperor Caligula transported the obelisk to Rome around 37 AD to decorate his circus, where it stood for centuries.
In 1586, Pope Sixtus V had the 83-foot-tall, 327-ton red granite obelisk moved to its current location in front of St. Peter's Basilica, where it serves as a focal point for pilgrims and tourists.
insights Ranking position
Vatican Obelisk ranks #14 of 140 in the Monolith ranking, behind Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), ahead of Old Man of Storr.
help Vatican Obelisk FAQ
Does the Vatican Obelisk have Egyptian hieroglyphs?
No. Unlike many Egyptian obelisks in Rome, the approximately 25-meter red-granite Vatican Obelisk has no hieroglyphic inscriptions.
Where did the Vatican Obelisk stand before St. Peter's Square?
Caligula brought it to Rome in the first century AD and placed it in the imperial circus later associated with Nero. That circus occupied ground close to the present St. Peter's Basilica.
How was the Vatican Obelisk moved in 1586?
Domenico Fontana organized the operation for Pope Sixtus V using hundreds of workers, horses, ropes, and dozens of winches. The successful move to the center of St. Peter's Square became a celebrated feat of Renaissance engineering.
Is the metal ball that once topped the Vatican Obelisk still there?
No. Sixtus V replaced the old bronze sphere with a cross when the obelisk was re-erected in 1586, and the sphere is now preserved by the Capitoline Museums.
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