The Vatican Obelisk

Server Costs Fundraiser 2023

Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate to our server cost fundraiser 2023, so that we can produce more history articles, videos and translations. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month.
$10666 / $21000

Illustration

Wanda Marcussen
by
published on 16 February 2020
The Vatican Obelisk Download Full Size Image

The origin of the Vatican Obelisk is unknown except that is was erected in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis. After reaching Rome, the obelisk was placed by Emperor Caligula (r. 37–41 CE) in the circus he had constructed close to where the Vatican stands today. It was moved to its current location in St. Peter's Square in 1586 CE.

Remove Ads

Advertisement

About the Author

Wanda Marcussen
Wanda has studied International Relations with specialization in History at The University of Oslo, and is currently studying for her Master's degree in Environmental History at Trinity College Dublin.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Marcussen, W. (2020, February 16). The Vatican Obelisk. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11924/the-vatican-obelisk/

Chicago Style

Marcussen, Wanda. "The Vatican Obelisk." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified February 16, 2020. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11924/the-vatican-obelisk/.

MLA Style

Marcussen, Wanda. "The Vatican Obelisk." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 16 Feb 2020. Web. 01 Apr 2023.

Membership