OBELISK AT PIAZZA NAVONA

This obelisk is not from the ancient Egypt, but this was created at Aswan (Upper Egypt, 640 km south of Cairo) by the order of Roman Emperor Domitianus in 1st Century. The name of Domitianus is inscribed with hieroglyphs on this obelisk. From the scene in which a goddess presents the Double Crown to the emperor, it seems that the obelisk was intended for the accession of Domitianus in A.D. 81.

This was carried to Rome and erected between the Serapeum Temple (The temple for the Greco-Egyptian god Serapius) and the Iseum Temple (The temple for the Egyptian goddess Isis), and remained there until early 4th Century when Emperor Maxentius [reigned 306-312] moved it to the Circo di Massenzio. Circo di Massenzio is the grand stadium for chariot race, which was built by the Emperor for the memory of his son Romulus. Since Romulus passed away in around 309, and the Emperor passed away in 312, the obelisk is supposed to have transported to here between 309-312. It was along Ancient Appian Road [Via Appia Antica], 2.8 km south of Porta San Sebastiano, Rome, and the vast site still remains.

At some unknown date, the obelisk was toppled and broken into a few pieces. The famous Pope Sixtus V [reigned 1585-1590] knew about this, but it was lower priority for restoration.

Finally, in 17th Century, Pope Innocentius X [reigned 1644-1655] decided to re-erect it in Piazza Navona in commemoration of his election. Because he had lived in the building which faces the Piazza Navona. He planned to create a fountain, and put the obelisk on it. An architect Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini [or Gianlorenzo Bernini, 1598-1680] wanted to undertake this project, and aggressively appealed his design to the Pope. Then the appointment was made to him on April 11th, 1647. The fountain is called the Fountain of the Four Rivers [Fontana dei Fiumi]. The four rivers of the then-known continents are represented by personifications - The Danube (representing Europe), The Ganges River (representing Asia), The Nile River (representing Africa), The Rio della Plata (representing Americas). This Four Rivers Fountain is one of Bernini's most celebrated works, and also one of typical masterpiece of the Baroque. The pieces of obelisk were assembled, and the dove [a symbol of the Pope family], instead of a Christian cross, was put at the apex, and then the obelisk topped on the Fountain. The entire work was completed in spring 1651.

The high cost of the project caused the tax increase, and resulted in loud protests against the Pope and his family. However, now this memorial is one of the most interested spots in Rome, and the source of endless admiration. You should appreciate this Baroque heritage.

Stats:

Location: Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy
Pharaoh: None
Height: 16.54 meters
Stone: Red granite