Esquilino obelisk, Ancient obelisk near Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy
The Esquilino obelisk is a red granite structure standing about 15 meters tall in Piazza dell'Esquilino and topped with a bronze cross displaying papal insignia. It marks the intersection where Via Cavour meets Via Carlo Alberto.
This structure came from ancient Rome and originally stood at Augustus' Mausoleum before being dismantled centuries later. It was discovered broken near a church in the early 16th century and reconstructed at its present location by Pope Sixtus V in 1587.
Pope Sixtus V erected this monument to guide pilgrims visiting Rome's major basilicas and to create a spiritual route through the city. The cross and papal emblem at its crown reflect how the Church claimed this ancient structure as part of its religious mission.
The monument sits in the heart of Rome on a public square accessible year-round. The nearby Vittorio Emanuele metro station provides easy access to this central location.
Unlike most Roman obelisks, this one carries no Egyptian hieroglyphic inscriptions on its surfaces. This detail suggests it was made directly for Emperor Augustus rather than being brought from Egypt.
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