Hyde Park Obelisk, Sewer vent obelisk in Hyde Park, Sydney, Australia
The 22-meter high sandstone pillar stands at the intersection of Elizabeth and Bathurst Streets, featuring Egyptian-style decorations and a bronze pyramid top.
Constructed in 1857 under Mayor George Thornton's direction, the structure served as a ventilation system for Sydney's first planned underground sewerage network.
Local residents named the structure Thornton's Scent Bottle, reflecting the characteristic function of releasing sewer gases above street level through its decorative design.
The obelisk remains accessible throughout the day at the eastern end of Bathurst Street, serving as a navigation point for pedestrians exploring Hyde Park.
This sandstone monument combines Victorian Egyptian architectural elements with practical engineering, making it the only vaulted vent shaft in Sydney's water system.
Location: City of Sydney
Inception: 1857
GPS coordinates: -33.87470,151.21000
Latest update: March 3, 2025 19:24
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