Obelisco Vaticano (Obelisk of St Peter's Square), Rome

Obelisks are often associated with Egypt, but interestingly, Rome boasts the largest concentration of these slender monuments worldwide. The city is adorned with eight ancient Egyptian obelisks and five ancient Roman ones. In ancient times, these structures were typically erected as single blocks, positioned in front of Egyptian temples or pyramids, symbolizing the sun god Ra. However, unlike their Egyptian counterparts adorned with hieroglyphics, the Roman obelisks often served as dedications to the ruling emperor of the time.

The obelisk that proudly stands in St. Peter's Square has a fascinating history. Emperor Caligula brought it from Egypt to Rome in 37 AD and installed it at the center of his circus, later known as the Circus of Nero. Transporting obelisks was a complex and challenging task, requiring the construction of special boats, known as "obelisk boats", designed specifically for this purpose.

When Pope Sixtus V ascended to the papacy, he envisioned relocating the obelisk to the heart of what would become St. Peter's Square. The ambitious project was spearheaded by the architect and engineer Domenico Fontana, who had previously worked as Giacomo della Porta's assistant during the construction of the nearby basilica. The relocation process took about three weeks and involved the use of rollers, forty-seven cranes, 140 carthorses, and over 1000 workers.

Originally, the obelisk was crowned with a bronze globe believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar. However, Pope Sixtus V opted to replace it with his emblem consisting of three mountains surmounted by a star.