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Obelisco Esquilino

Historic site · Monti, Italy

An obelisk of red Aswan granite standing in piazza dell'Esquilino, behind the apse of Santa Maria Maggiore: 14.75 metres, or 25.53 metres with its base. Roma Capitale's page for it places the obelisk «nel Rione Monti», in the Comune's own words.

History

The shaft carries no inscription, which prevents it from being dated; Roma Capitale considers it probably of Roman manufacture. Latin inscriptions are carved on each side of the base. It was raised here in 1587 under Sixtus V to a design by Domenico Fontana, who worked with his brother Marsilio and his nephew Carlo Maderno.

Visit

Piazza dell'Esquilino, Roma RM

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