10 Awesome Obelisks From Around The World

Awesome Obelisks

An obelisk is a tall, four-sided monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at its top. In the past, most obelisks were monolithic, but today as the obelisks grow taller, they are often composed of several stones and even concrete is used, and some obelisks can have interior spaces

1. Washington Monument, Washington DC, United States

Standing just over 555 feet (169.294 meters) tall, the Washington Monument is the world’s tallest obelisk as well as the world’s tallest stone structure. Like many modern obelisks, it is not monolithic but rather composed of marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss. Construction began in 1848 and completed only in 1884. It is one of the most recognized symbols of Washington and even the United States

Awesome Obelisks From Around The World: Washington Monument

Awesome Obelisks From Around The World: Washington Monument

 

2. Obelisk at Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City

Located in the middle of one of the most famous city squares in the world, the obelisk in Saint Peter’s square is a 4,000 years old Egyptian obelisk which was transported from Egypt to Rome during the reign of Emperor Augustus. It was moved from the circus to its current site in 1586. During the Middle Ages, the gilt ball on top of the obelisk was believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar. However, when the ancient metal ball was removed, it was empty. This ancient monolithic obelisk is just over 25 meters tall

Awesome Obelisks

Obelisks From Around The World: Obelisk at Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City

 

3. Luxor Obelisk, Paris, France

The Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris, it is located at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées. At the center of the square there is a giant Egyptian obelisk decorated with hieroglyphics – the Luxor Obelisk. The obelisk was given to France by the Egyptian government in the early 19th century, and was set in the middle of the square in 1836. This monolithic obelisk is 23 metres (75 ft) high and weighs over 250 metric tons (280 short tons). The origin of the Obelisk is the Luxor Temple, where it was one of two similar obelisks, hence the name. But the obelisk is also known as Cleopatra’s Needle – one of three Egyptian obelisk with this name. The others being in London and New York

Awesome Obelisks From Around The World: Luxor Obelisk, Paris, France

Awesome Obelisks From Around The World: Luxor Obelisk, Paris, France

Awesome Obelisks

Awesome Obelisks From Around The World: Luxor Obelisk, Paris, France

 

4. Obelisco de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Located in the Plaza de la República, this obelisk is a national historic monument of Argentina and one of Buenos Aires symbols. It was constructed in 1936 and is made of concrete and Olaen white stone from Cordoba. The obelisk is 67.5 meters high

Obelisks From Around The World: Obelisco de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires

Obelisks From Around The World: Obelisco de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires

 

5. Lateran Obelisk, Rome, Italy

The tallest standing monolithic obelisk in the world. The 455 tons monument was shipped from Egypt and was set in the Circus Maximus in the year 357. It later broke and was buried for centuries until 1588 when it was dug up and relocated to a new location, where it is today

Awesome Obelisks

Awesome Obelisks From Around The World: Lateran Obelisk, Rome, Italy

 

6. Cleopatra’s Needle, New York, United States

As mentioned before, three Egyptian obelisks were transported during the 19th century to New York, London and Paris. All three of them are called Cleopatra’s Needle, even though they have nothing to do with Cleopatra and were already over a thousand years old in her lifetime. The London and New York obelisks are a pair and originate from the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (now Cairo). They are made of red granite, they are 21 metres (69 ft) high and weigh about 224 tons. The obelisk in New York was erected in Central Park in 1881

Obelisks From Around The World: Cleopatra's Needle, New York, United States

Obelisks From Around The World: Cleopatra’s Needle, New York, United States

 

7. Luxor Obelisk, Luxor, Egypt

Two giant obelisks once stood at the entrance of the Luxor Temple, a UNESCO world heritage site. The right one was given as a present to France during the 19th century and it now stands in the Place de la Concorde. The left obelisk still stands today at the entrance

Awesome Obelisks

Awesome Obelisks From Around The World: Luxor Obelisk, Luxor, Egypt

 

8. Heliopolis Obelisk, Cairo, Egypt

This red granite obelisk is the one remaining out of a pair of similar structures. At 67 feet (20 meters), it is the oldest standing obelisk in Egypt

Obelisks From Around The World: Heliopolis Obelisk, Cairo, Egypt

Obelisks From Around The World: Heliopolis Obelisk, Cairo, Egypt

9. Flaminio Obelisk, Rome, Italy

Another one of the 13 obelisks currently standing in Rome. Located in the Piazza del Popolo, this Egyptian monolithic obelisk is 24 meters (67 ft) high, 46.5 meters with the base. It was brought to Rome in 10 BC in placed in the Circus Maximus (some 300 years before the Lateran obelisk was placed there). It was rediscovered broken to pieces in 1587 along with the Lateran obelisk and placed in it’s current location

Awesome Obelisks

Obelisks From Around The World: Flaminio Obelisk, Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Italy

 

10. Obelisk of Axum, Axum, Ethiopia

A 24 meters tall (79 ft) granite obelisk. The obelisk is 1,700 years old and weighs around 160 tonnes. It features two false doors at the base and decorations that resemble windows along all sides

Obelisks From Around The World: Obelisk of Axum, Axum, Ethiopia

Obelisks From Around The World: Obelisk of Axum, Axum, Ethiopia

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