The imposing Obelisk of Montecitorio in Rome

L'imponente Obelisco di Montecitorio a Roma

The imposing Obelisk of Montecitorio in Rome.
In the heart of Rome, among the majestic streets and historic buildings, stands an imposing testimony to the glorious past of ancient Egypt: the Obelisk of Montecitorio. This ancient monument, dating back to the 6th century BC, continues to enchant visitors and residents with its beauty and fascinating history.
The obelisk, also known as the Obelisk of Psammetichus II, has passed through millennia of history before finding its current home in the Piazza di Montecitorio, in front of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. Originally erected in Heliopolis, the obelisk was transported to Rome in 10 BC at the behest of Emperor Augustus. Since then, it has witnessed a succession of emperors, popes and governments, becoming a silent witness to the changes and events that have shaped the eternal city.
Standing approximately 21.79 meters tall, the obelisk is an impressive structure made of red Egyptian granite. Its surfaces are decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions that celebrate the pharaoh Psamtik II, emphasizing his greatness and power. These ancient symbols communicate the magnificence of ancient Egypt and its lasting influence on Roman culture and art.
Today, the Obelisk of Montecitorio continues to capture the imagination of visitors, offering them a unique opportunity to connect with the glorious past of Rome and ancient Egypt. Its presence in the Piazza di Montecitorio adds a touch of mystery and charm to the city's skyline, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its thousand-year history.
If you are in Rome, do not miss the opportunity to admire this extraordinary treasure of antiquity. Take a stroll through the Piazza di Montecitorio and be fascinated by the magnificence of the Obelisk of Montecitorio, a tangible symbol of the indelible bond between Rome and the ancient Egyptian world.

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L'imponente Obelisco di Montecitorio a Roma

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

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Ecco dove si trova l’obelisco:

The obelisk of Montecitorio, currently located in the square of the same name in the Capital, is one of the thirteen ancient obelisks of Rome. It is 30 meters high and was brought to Rome by Augustus in 10 BC. The obelisk of Monte Citorio, already present at the time of Pharaoh Psammetichus II (595-589 BC), was originally located in the city of Heliopolis in Egypt.
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The imposing Obelisk of Montecitorio in Rome – L’imposant obélisque de Montecitorio à Rome – El imponente Obelisco de Montecitorio en Roma – O imponente Obelisco de Montecitorio em Roma – Der imposante Obelisk von Montecitorio in Rom – Obelisk hùng vĩ của Montecitorio ở Rome – 罗马雄伟的蒙特西托里奥方尖碑 – ローマのモンテチトリオの堂々としたオベリスク

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The fountain with the obelisk in front of the Pantheon in Rome

La fontana con l'obelisco di fronte al Pantheon a Roma

The fountain with the obelisk in front of the Pantheon in Rome.
Welcome to the enchanting square in front of the Pantheon, where antiquity merges with art and beauty. In addition to the majesty of the Pantheon and the imposing obelisk, the square is home to one of the most fascinating fountains in Rome.
The Pantheon Fountain: Located in the center of the square, the Pantheon Fountain captures the eye with its elegance. Designed by Giacomo Della Porta in 1575, the fountain features a circular basin with an obelisk in the center, combining classical Roman aesthetics with the grandeur of the Egyptian obelisk.
The water flows gently along the walls of the basin, creating a soothing sound that accompanies visitors on their journey through time. Dolphin statuettes, symbols of sea gods, decorate the fountain, adding a touch of grace and mythology to the view.
An oasis of tranquility: The Pantheon Fountain offers a refuge of serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of the eternal city. Visitors can sit by the fountain, admire the Pantheon in the background and enjoy the beauty around them.
Union of Cultures: The presence of the fountain, the obelisk and the Pantheon reflects the cultural eclecticism that characterizes the history of Rome. Elements from different civilizations blend harmoniously in this space, celebrating the diversity and mutual influence of ancient cultures.
Capture lasting memories: The square in front of the Pantheon becomes a perfect place to immortalize special moments. With the Pantheon in the background, the fountain and the obelisk create a unique setting that will enchant photographers and visitors, capturing the magic of Rome in every shot.

Visiting the Pantheon is not only a journey through history, but also a sensory experience that embraces art, architecture and nature. Discovering the square with its obelisk, the Pantheon Fountain and the iconic temple is an unforgettable journey into the heart of Rome.

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La fontana con l'obelisco di fronte al Pantheon a Roma

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

This is the official website of the site: pantheonroma.com.

Here is where the remains of the temple are located:

At the beginning of the 7th century, the Pantheon was donated by the Eastern Emperor Phocas to Pope Boniface IV and was converted into a Christian basilica called Santa Maria della Rotonda or Santa Maria ad Martyres, which allowed it to survive almost intact the spoliations suffered by other buildings of classical Rome. It enjoys the rank of minor basilica and is the only basilica in Rome other than the patriarchal ones to still have a chapter. The inhabitants of Rome popularly called it the Rotonna (“the Rotunda”), from which also derive the name of the square and the street in front.
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The fountain with the obelisk in front of the Pantheon in Rome – La fontaine avec l’obélisque devant le Panthéon de Rome – La fuente con el obelisco frente al Panteón de Roma – A fonte com o obelisco em frente ao Panteão de Roma – Der Brunnen mit dem Obelisken vor dem Pantheon in Rom – Đài phun nước với đài tưởng niệm phía trước đền Pantheon ở Rome – 罗马万神殿前有方尖碑的喷泉 – ローマのパンテオン前のオベリスクのある噴水

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Discovering the Obelisk of Minerva

Alla Scoperta dell'Obelisco della Minerva: Un Tesoro Nascosto a Roma

Discovering the Obelisk of Minerva
Rome, the Eternal City, is a treasure trove of history and culture that reveals itself at every corner. Among the wonders that fascinate visitors from all over the world, there is a little-known jewel that stands majestically near the famous Piazza della Minerva: the Obelisk of Minerva.
The obelisk, which is over 5 meters tall, was originally carved in Ancient Egypt and placed in the Temple of Isis in Sais. However, its journey to Rome took place only in 1667, when Pope Alexander VII decided to place it in front of the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. The famous sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini was commissioned to create a decorative base to support the obelisk.
The base of the obelisk is adorned with an elephant, a brilliant work by Bernini. This majestic animal supports the obelisk with its strong back, and every detail is made with extraordinary precision. The choice of the elephant as a support symbolizes strength and stability.
The presence of the obelisk in front of the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva is not accidental. Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and war, is represented inside the church, and the obelisk underlines the importance of this mythological figure.
If you have the opportunity to visit Rome, do not miss the opportunity to admire this masterpiece. Stroll through the Piazza della Minerva, admire the extraordinary fusion between the ancient and the baroque, and discover the unique details that make this place so special.
The Obelisk of Minerva is more than just a monument; it is a fascinating piece of Rome’s history. Next time you find yourself in the Eternal City, stop by and be enchanted by the beauty and history this extraordinary place has to offer.

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Alla Scoperta dell'Obelisco della Minerva: Un Tesoro Nascosto a Roma

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

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Where is the monument located:

The Obelisk of Minerva is one of the nine Egyptian obelisks of Rome, located in the Piazza della Minerva (the square of the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva). The obelisk is positioned on the back of a marble elephant, sculpted by Ercole Ferrata based on a design by Bernini in 1667; the entire monumental complex is also popularly known as the Pulcin della Minerva: “pulcino” in the dialect of the time meant “porcino”, referring to the elephant “for its small size and round shape”.
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Discovering the Minerva Obelisk: a hidden treasure in Rome – À la découverte de l’Obélisque de Minerve : un trésor caché à Rome – Descubriendo el Obelisco de Minerva: un tesoro escondido en Roma – Descobrindo o Obelisco de Minerva: um tesouro escondido em Roma – Entdecken Sie den Minerva-Obelisken: einen verborgenen Schatz in Rom – Khám phá Minerva Obelisk: kho báu ẩn giấu ở Rome – 发现密涅瓦方尖碑:罗马隐藏的宝藏 – ミネルヴァ オベリスクの発見: ローマの隠された宝物

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The majestic Fountain of the Four Rivers and its obelisk

La maestosa Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi e il suo enigmatico obelisco

The majestic Fountain of the Four Rivers and its enigmatic obelisk.
In the majestic Piazza Navona, in the heart of Rome, stands one of the most iconic wonders of the eternal city: the Fountain of the Four Rivers. This artistic masterpiece, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, is a true symbol of beauty, history and artistic ingenuity.
The fountain, located in the center of the square, is one of the greatest expressions of the Italian Baroque. It represents four of the most important rivers in the world at the time, each personified by a colossal statue: the Nile, the Ganges, the Danube and the Rio de la Plata. These imposing figures seem to emerge from the water, embracing a 16-meter-high Egyptian obelisk, crowned by the dove, symbol of the family of Pope Innocent X, who commissioned the fountain.
Each statue represents a river from a different part of the world, and Bernini has masterfully captured the essence of each. The Nile, for example, has its face covered by a cloth, as the source of the Nile was still a mystery at the time. The Ganges holds a water bladder and a pagoda, while the Danube holds a medallion depicting Saint Agnes in her hand, symbolizing the Church of Rome. Finally, the Rio de la Plata is covered by a cloak, symbolizing the fact that South America was then little known to Europeans.
The Egyptian obelisk that tops the fountain is a true historical treasure. Originally erected in the city of Heliopolis in Egypt in 6 BC, it was brought to Rome in 37 AD to be erected in the Circus Maxentius, where it remained for centuries. In 1651, Pope Innocent X decided to place it in the Piazza Navona, and Bernini designed the majestic fountain to adorn it.
The obelisk is covered with hieroglyphics that tell the story of the Pharaoh Domitian. At the top is a dove with an olive branch, a symbol of peace and one of the many surprising details that enrich the Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Today, the fountain and obelisk remain one of Rome’s main landmarks. Their beauty and the energy they exude are testaments to centuries of history, art, and culture. These monuments not only celebrate the greatness of the Eternal City, but also remind us of the importance of preserving humanity’s cultural heritage for future generations.
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La maestosa Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi e il suo enigmatico obelisco

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Here's where the fountain is located:

The Fountain of the Four Rivers, or simply the Fountain of the Rivers, is an artistic fountain in Rome located in the centre of Piazza Navona, in front of the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, designed by the sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini and built by a group of sculptors, including Giovan Maria Franchi, Giacomo Antonio Fancelli, Claude Poussin, Antonio Raggi and Francesco Baratta, between 1648 and 1651.
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The majestic Fountain of the Four Rivers and its enigmatic obelisk – La majestueuse Fontaine des Quatre Fleuves et son énigmatique obélisque – La majestuosa Fuente de los Cuatro Ríos y su enigmático obelisco – A majestosa Fonte dos Quatro Rios e seu enigmático obelisco – Der majestätische Vierströmebrunnen und sein rätselhafter Obelisk – Đài phun nước Four Rivers hùng vĩ và đài tưởng niệm bí ẩn của nó – 雄伟的四河喷泉及其神秘的方尖碑 – 四大河の雄大な噴水と謎のオベリスク

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L’Obelisco Vaticano che domina piazza San Pietro

L'Obelisco Vaticano che domina piazza San Pietro a Roma

L’Obelisco Vaticano che domina piazza San Pietro a Roma.
La grande piazza di fronte alla Basilica di San Pietro è dominata da questo grande obelisco egiziano (senza iscrizioni).
Pur avendolo visto diverse volte non vi avevo mai posto l’attenzione e fotografato.

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L'Obelisco Vaticano che domina piazza San Pietro a Roma

Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Canon RF 24-50.

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Ecco dove si trova l’obelisco:

L’Obelisco Vaticano è uno dei tredici obelischi antichi di Roma ed è situato in piazza San Pietro. Nell’occasione dello spostamento il globo collocato sulla vetta venne trasferito ai Musei Capitolini, nella prima sala del Palazzo dei Conservatori, in un angolo vicino alla grande finestra. Secondo la leggenda nel globo da cui era sormontato erano contenute le ceneri di San Pietro o di Cesare; dal riferimento cesareo all’aquila imperiale romana deriva il termine aguglia, inizialmente usato solo per gli obelischi, e oggi trasformato in guglia.
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The Vatican Obelisk overlooking St. Peter’s square in Rome – L’Obélisque du Vatican surplombant la place Saint-Pierre à Rome – El Obelisco del Vaticano con vistas a la plaza de San Pedro en Roma – O Obelisco do Vaticano com vista para a Praça de São Pedro em Roma – Der vatikanische Obelisk mit Blick auf den Petersplatz in Rom – Đài tưởng niệm Vatican nhìn ra quảng trường Thánh Phêrô ở Rome梵蒂冈方尖碑俯瞰罗马圣彼得广场 – ローマのサンピエトロ広場を見下ろすバチカンのオベリスク

Piazza San Domenico a Napoli

Piazza San Domenico Maggiore a Napoli

Piazza San Domenico a Napoli.
Una delle piazze più centrali e trafficate del centro storico partenopeo.
Di fronte l’Obelisco (o Guglia) di San Domenico, poco dietro il retro dell’abside della omonima chiesa e sulla destra uno scorcio del bel Palazzo Saluzzo Corigliano.

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Piazza San Domenico Maggiore a Napoli

Photo taken with Canon EOS M100 and lens Canon EF-M 11-22.

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Piazza San Domenico è una delle piazze più importanti di Napoli. Essa si trova lungo il decumano inferiore della città, a breve distanza da piazza del Gesù Nuovo. Trovandosi nel cuore del centro storico partenopeo, la piazza è crocevia di due importanti strade della città: Spaccanapoli (il decumano inferiore est-ovest) e via Mezzocannone (cardine che taglia sud-nord).
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The San Domenico Maggiore square in Naples – la place San Domenico Maggiore à Naples – la plaza San Domenico Maggiore en Nápoles – Praça San Domenico em Nápoles – der Platz San Domenico Maggiore in Neapel – quảng trường San Domenico Maggiore ở Naples – 那不勒斯的圣多梅尼科马焦雷广场 – ナポリのサンドメニコ広場

L’obelisco dell’Immacolata in piazza Gesù Nuovo

L'obelisco dell'Immacolata in piazza del Gesù Nuovo a Napoli

L’obelisco dell’Immacolata in piazza del Gesù Nuovo a Napoli.
Uno dei tre obelischi o guglie presenti nella bella città partenopea.
Quando scattavo, davanti al monumento, c’erano due camionette dei pompieri che ho deciso di lasciare per ricordarci di quanto sono sempre importanti i Vigili del Fuoco.

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L'obelisco dell'Immacolata in piazza del Gesù Nuovo a Napoli

Photo taken with Canon EOS M100 and lens Canon EF-M 11-22.

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L’obelisco dell’Immacolata (o più propriamente guglia dell’Immacolata) è un obelisco barocco di Napoli situato in piazza del Gesù Nuovo, di fronte alla chiesa omonima. Il monumento è in ordine cronologico l’ultimo dei tre grandi obelischi di Napoli, essendo stato eretto nel Settecento e dunque dopo quello di San Gennaro e San Domenico.
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The obelisk of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza del Gesù Nuovo in Naples – L’obélisque de l’Immaculée Conception sur la Piazza del Gesù Nuovo à Naples – El obelisco de la Inmaculada Concepción en la Piazza del Gesù Nuovo en Nápoles – Der Obelisk der Unbefleckten Empfängnis auf der Piazza del Gesù Nuovo in Neapel – Đài tưởng niệm Đức Mẹ Vô Nhiễm Nguyên Tội ở Piazza del Gesù Nuovo ở Naples

La Colonna di Sant’Oronzo ad Ostuni

La Colonna di Sant'Oronzo ad Ostuni

La Colonna di Sant’Oronzo ad Ostuni.
In piazza della Libertà, nel centro della cittadina di Ostuni, si erge questa colonna del 1700 dedicata a Sant’Oronzo che pare abbia protetto la cittadina da una epidemia di peste.
Ci sono poi altri Santi come San Biagio, Sant’Agostino, Santa Irene e San Giorgio Armeno.

La Colonna di Sant'Oronzo ad Ostuni

Photo taken with Canon EOS M100 and lens Canon EF-S 10-18.

Sant’Oronzo si nascose anche in una grotta a Ostuni, nel luogo dove è stata poi costruita la chiesa e il relativo Santuario. I festeggiamenti si svolgono nella Città Bianca il 25, 26 e 27 agosto con la rinomata Cavalcata di Sant’Oronzo, una processione nella quale sfilano esponenti del clero e dell’amministrazione comunale, seguiti da cavalli e cavalieri, con stoffe rosse ricche di ricami e lustrini
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Obelisco della Minerva a Roma

obelisco di minerva

Obelisco della Minerva a Roma.
L’obelisco della Minerva in piazza Santa Maria sopra Minerva che come base, tediata dal Bernini, ha una statua in marmo raffigurante un elefantino.

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obelisco di minerva

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Where is the monument located:

The Obelisk of Minerva is one of the nine Egyptian obelisks of Rome, located in the Piazza della Minerva (the square of the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva). The obelisk is positioned on the back of a marble elephant, sculpted by Ercole Ferrata based on a design by Bernini in 1667; the entire monumental complex is also popularly known as the Pulcin della Minerva: “pulcino” in the dialect of the time meant “porcino”, referring to the elephant “for its small size and round shape”.
Continue and learn more on Wikipedia

Discovering the Minerva Obelisk: a hidden treasure in Rome – À la découverte de l’Obélisque de Minerve : un trésor caché à Rome – Descubriendo el Obelisco de Minerva: un tesoro escondido en Roma – Descobrindo o Obelisco de Minerva: um tesouro escondido em Roma – Entdecken Sie den Minerva-Obelisken: einen verborgenen Schatz in Rom – Khám phá Minerva Obelisk: kho báu ẩn giấu ở Rome – 发现密涅瓦方尖碑:罗马隐藏的宝藏 – ミネルヴァ オベリスクの発見: ローマの隠された宝物