Guglia di Sant'Oronzo, Baroque obelisk in Ostuni, Italy

The Guglia di Sant'Oronzo is a limestone obelisk rising from Ostuni's main square with a statue of Saint Oronzo crowning its peak. The monument stands prominently above the surrounding white buildings, creating a clear focal point in the open square.

The obelisk was erected in 1771 by the Ostuni sculptor Giuseppe Greco, in devotion and gratitude to the city's patron saint for having saved Ostuni from the plague. It stands in piazza della Libertà, where Latin inscriptions, angels and framed cartouches carry that vow of thanks.

The column is topped by a statue of Saint Oronzo blessing the city, turned toward the old town. On the second level, a slightly projecting balustrade carries four statues of saints at its corners: Saint Lucy is the most securely identified, alongside a bishop with a book, probably Saint Augustine of Hippo, and a Jesuit holding a child, Bernardino Realino of Lecce. The fourth is attributed to Saint Irene, though it lacks an arm and the martyr's palm.

The monument sits in the center of the main square and serves as an excellent reference point for exploring the narrow streets of the old town. From this location, visitors can easily navigate the different quarters and find other areas of interest.

The Baroque carvings on the obelisk display carefully chiseled details that reveal the craftsmanship of local stonemasons from the 18th century. These ornamental elements are visible up close and show the care taken in the monument's creation.