Obelisque d'Arles (Arles Obelisk), Arles

The Arles Obelisk stands proudly at the center of Republic Square, serving as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a testament to its Roman heritage. Carved from a single block of granite, the monument dates to the 4th century AD, when it originally adorned the Roman circus of Arles, a grand arena once used for chariot races. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the obelisk was lost to time, later rediscovered in fragments during the 17th century and re-erected in 1676.

The monument’s reinstallation marked a civic celebration of Arles’s ancient past, at a time when the city sought to reconnect with its classical roots. A gilded sun once crowned the obelisk, reflecting the light of Provence, though it has since been replaced by a bronze globe and later a weather vane. Standing over 20 meters tall, it commands attention amid the harmonious surroundings of Republic Square, flanked by the City Hall and Saint Trophime Church. Interestingly, unlike other Roman monuments, the obelisk lacks inscriptions.

Given it has been recognized as a historic monument since 1840, the obelisk has seen countless dawns and dusks. Yet, watching it shine in the center of the Republic Square remains an experience to be enjoyed. Cherry on top, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage list of Roman and Romanesque monuments since 1981.