Dogali obelisk, Military memorial monument near Termini Station, Rome, Italy
The Dogali Obelisk is a red granite column covered in Egyptian hieroglyphs, standing on a 19th-century pedestal in a small triangular plaza in Rome. The plaza sits near the Baths of Diocletian and Termini Station, making it easy to spot on foot.
The obelisk was originally made in ancient Egypt and brought to Rome by Emperor Domitian, who placed it near the Isis temple. In 1887, after centuries of lying buried, it was erected in its current spot to honor soldiers killed in Ethiopia.
The base of the obelisk carries bronze plaques listing the names of Italian soldiers killed at the Battle of Dogali in 1887. Visitors can read the inscriptions and see how an ancient Egyptian monument was turned into a modern war memorial.
The monument stands in an open plaza with no entry restrictions, so it can be visited at any time of day. It is within easy walking distance of Termini Station, which makes it simple to combine with other stops nearby.
The obelisk spent several centuries buried underground in Rome before being rediscovered during excavations in the 19th century. Before being moved to its current plaza, it was briefly set up in front of a different building, so its present location is actually its third in the city.
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