Obelisk of the piazza del Popolo

The obelisk of the piazza del Popolo , also called obelisco Flaminio (it marks the beginning of the Via Flaminia), is one of the first Obélisque S Egyptians transported to Rome.

Three historical places

Héliopolis

It one of both Obélisque S coming from the temple of Re to Héliopolis and is transported to Rome by Auguste. This one was set up formerly in the temple of the sun of the Egyptian antique quoted by Séthi {{Ier}} and Ramsès {{II}}, (-).

Three of its faces are engraved in the name of Séthi 1st, and the fourth in the name of his/her Ramsès son.

The second transported obelisk of Héliopolis by Auguste is current the obelisk of the piazza di Montecitorio.

Circus Maximus

It was set up about the year -10 on the Spina of the Circus Maximus, where another obelisk, that of the Lateran, will be established into 357 in its company. Then their trace is lost: it is noted that they fell or were reversed both on an unknown date.

Piazza del Popolo

These two large obelisks of the Circus Maximus were found broken during excavations carried out in 1587 by the pope Sixte {{V}} who made them transport, as well as others, to decorate the places of Rome.

This obelisk was réérigé by Domenico Fontana opposite the church Santa Maria del Popolo in 1589: it then became the central monument of the Piazza del Popolo lately arranged around him. It was renovated by Giuseppe Valadier in 1793, then again between 1816 and 1824.

It is in red Granite of Assouan; it measures 23,30 m and weighs 235 T.

Dependant articles

List of the monuments of ancient Rome
Obelisk

Bonds

the obelisk of the piazza del Popolo
Obelisk off the world: Flaminian obelisk
History off the Egyptian obelisks: Flaminian

Random links: