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21 September 202421 September 2024

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

To see all the photos I took in Rome click here:

Here is where the obelisk is located:

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

The text of the post was written with the help of ChatGPT, a language model from OpenAI.

8 September 20246 September 2024

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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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

The text of the post was written with the help of ChatGPT, a language model from OpenAI.

17 August 202418 July 2024

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.

Have you ever seen this obelisk? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

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

Click here to see all the photos of Rome:

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

The text of the post was written with the help of ChatGPT, a language model from OpenAI.

6 March 202423 September 2024

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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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

The text of the post was written with the help of ChatGPT, a language model from OpenAI.

16 November 202325 July 2024

The Vatican Obelisk overlooking St. Peter's Square

L'Obelisco Vaticano che domina piazza San Pietro a Roma

The Vatican Obelisk that dominates St. Peter's Square in Rome.
The large square in front of St. Peter's Basilica is dominated by this large Egyptian obelisk (without inscriptions).
Although I have seen it several times, I had never paid attention to it and photographed it.

Do you know Rome? Add your own comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

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

To see all the photos I took in Rome click here:

Here is where the obelisk is located:

The Vatican Obelisk is one of the thirteen ancient obelisks of Rome and is located in St. Peter's Square. On the occasion of the move, the globe placed on the summit was transferred to the Capitoline Museums, in the first room of the Palazzo dei Conservatori, in a corner near the large window. According to legend, the globe that surmounted it contained the ashes of St. Peter or Caesar; from the Caesarian reference to the Roman imperial eagle comes the term aguglia, initially used only for obelisks, and today transformed into spire.
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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

29 August 202225 June 2024

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

To see all the photos I took in Naples, that weekend but also on other trips, click here:

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

14 May 202231 July 2024

The obelisk of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza Gesù Nuovo

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

The obelisk of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza del Gesù Nuovo in Naples.
One of the three obelisks or spires present in the beautiful city of Naples.
When I was taking the photo, in front of the monument, there were two fire trucks that I decided to leave to remind us of how important the Fire Brigade always is.

Have you ever been to Naples? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

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

To see all the photos I took in Naples, that weekend but also on other trips, click here:

The obelisk of the Immaculate Conception (or more properly the spire of the Immaculate Conception) is a baroque obelisk in Naples located in Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, in front of the church of the same name. The monument is chronologically the last of the three great obelisks of Naples, having been erected in the eighteenth century and therefore after that of San Gennaro and 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

17 November 202024 November 2024

The Column of Saint Oronzo in Ostuni

The Column of Sant’Oronzo in Ostuni.
In Piazza della Libertà, in the center of the town of Ostuni, stands this 18th century column dedicated to Sant’Oronzo who seems to have protected the town from an epidemic of plague.
Then there are other Saints such as San Biagio, Sant’Agostino, Santa Irene and San Giorgio Armeno.

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

Click here to see all the photos I took in the Apulian town:

Sant’Oronzo also hid in a cave in Ostuni, in the place where the church and its Sanctuary were later built. The celebrations take place in the White City on 25, 26 and 27 August with the renowned Cavalcata di Sant’Oronzo, a procession in which members of the clergy and the municipal administration parade, followed by horses and riders, with red fabrics rich in embroidery and sequins
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The Column of Saint Oronzo in Ostuni – La colonne de Sant’Oronzo à Ostuni – La Columna de Sant’Oronzo en Ostuni – A Coluna de Sant’Oronzo em Ostuni – Die Säule von Sant’Oronzo in Ostuni – Cột Sant’Oronzo ở Ostuni

31 December 20135 November 2024

Obelisk of Minerva in Rome

Obelisk of Minerva in Rome.
The obelisk of Minerva in Piazza Santa Maria sopra Minerva which as a base, bored by Bernini, has a marble statue depicting a small elephant.

Have you ever seen this obelisk? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.

Click here to see all the photos of Rome:

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