Boboli obelisk, Ancient Egyptian obelisk in Boboli Gardens, Florence, Italy
The Boboli obelisk is an ancient red granite shaft standing roughly 6 meters tall near Palazzo Pitti. All four sides of its surface bear hieroglyphic inscriptions from ancient Egypt.
The stone dates to Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE and was later brought from Rome to Florence. The Romans had originally transported it from Heliopolis to their city.
The inscriptions honor the Egyptian god Atum and display the names and titles of Ramesses II alongside solar symbols. These religious texts are carved into all four sides of the monument.
The obelisk is located within the Boboli Gardens, which has a separate entrance from Palazzo Pitti and requires its own ticket. The gardens spread across a hillside, so comfortable walking shoes are helpful when visiting.
The base of the obelisk is supported by four bronze turtles, while a gilded orb crowns its peak. These decorative elements come from its Roman period and have survived to the present day.
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