Cleopatra's Needle, Ancient Egyptian obelisk on Victoria Embankment, England
The red granite monument stands 21 meters tall near the River Thames, featuring hieroglyphic inscriptions from Pharaohs Thutmose III and Ramesses II.
The obelisk originated in Heliopolis around 1450 BC and reached London in 1878 as a diplomatic gift from Muhammad Ali, the ruler of Egypt.
Two bronze sphinxes designed by George John Vulliamy protect the monument, containing a time capsule with Victorian artifacts in their pedestal.
The obelisk stands between Waterloo Bridge and Hungerford Bridge, accessible through Embankment, Charing Cross, and Temple underground stations.
German bombing during World War I left visible shrapnel marks on both the obelisk and its accompanying sphinxes, marking their survival through conflict.
Location: City of Westminster
Inception: 1450 BCE
Part of: Cleopatra's Needles
GPS coordinates: 51.50850,-0.12030
Latest update: March 4, 2025 10:21
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