Egyptian Obelisk at Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy - Encircle Photos

Egyptian Obelisk at Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy

Rising high above the Fountain of the Four Rivers is an Egyptian obelisk. The Aswan granite is engraved with hieroglyphs. It was one of four obelisks discovered at the Temple of Isis and Serapis in Rome dating back to the 2nd century BC. In the early 4th century, Emperor Maxentius moved the archeological discovery to the Circus of Maxentius on the Appian Way (Via Appia) leading to the Roman Forum. In the mid-17th century, Pope Innocent X had the obelisk erected in Piazza Navona to symbolize his papal powers. The pope’s former family residence, Palazzo Pamphilj, is also located at Piazza Navona. It is now the Brazilian Embassy.

Egyptian Obelisk at Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy

Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

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