An obelisk is a four-sided stone pillar
that tapers into a pyramid-shaped point at the top. These monuments
originated in ancient Egypt but conquering Romans shipped many of these massive
structures back to Rome where they still stand today.
St. Peter's Square, Rome |
The Vatican Obelisk |
The fountain in front of the Pantheon on
Piazza della Rotonda features a much smaller obelisk.
Piazza della Rotonda, Rome |
Not far from the Pantheon is my favourite
obelisk. It stands on the back of Bernini's elephant in front of Rome’s only gothic
church, Santa Maria sopra Minerva.
Bernini's Elephant and Obelisk |
The Romans weren’t shy about making copies
of antiquities they admired. The obelisk in front of Santa Trinita dei Monti
church at the top of the Spanish Steps is a Roman copy. The original Egyptian
obelisk is in Piazza del Popolo.
The Spanish Steps, Rome |
The obelisk in Bernini’s Fountain of the
Four Rivers is also a Roman copy. This fountain is
the centrepiece of Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s most popular squares.
Fountain of the Four Rivers, Piazza Navona |
Today Rome has the most obelisks in the
world and these ancient monuments mark some of the modern city’s greatest
sights.
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Fantastic. I think I have been to everyone of those Roman spots, but not sure I noticed all the obelisks. I have an obelisk today too.
ReplyDeleteThere's just so much to see wherever you go in Italy. It's hard to take it all in. I'll come by to see your obelisk.
DeleteYour pictures are so lovely. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise!
DeleteStunning photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen - Rome is very photogenic!
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