Introduction
Walk through the bustling streets of London, the elegant avenues of Paris, or the urban canyons of New York, and you'll find a surprising and unmistakable sight: a towering, ancient Egyptian obelisk, standing in stark contrast to the modern world around it. These monoliths are more than just historical artifacts; they are witnesses to millennia of history, telling a story that spans from the age of the pharaohs to the age of empires.
This article explores the incredible journey of these monuments, a story of grand political gestures, monumental engineering feats, and the global fascination with Kemet that we call "Egyptomania."
A Pillar of Power: What is an Obelisk?
An obelisk is a four-sided, tapered monument topped with a pyramid-shaped apex, or pyramidion. Carved from a single piece of stone, typically red granite, these monuments were a central feature of ancient Egyptian temple complexes. They symbolized a ray of sunlight turned to stone, a connection between the earthly pharaoh and the sun god Ra. Each one was a testament to the pharaoh's power and devotion, inscribed with hieroglyphs detailing their reign and accomplishments.
But what happens when these symbols of absolute power are moved? A new story begins.
London: The Eye of the City
The obelisk now standing on the Victoria Embankment in London is one of a pair, originally carved for the pharaoh Thutmose III around 1450 BCE. It was first erected at Heliopolis and later moved to Alexandria by the Romans, where it stood for centuries.
In the 19th century, it was gifted to the British by the Ottoman ruler of Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha, to commemorate the British victories at the Battle of the Nile and the Battle of Alexandria. The journey to London was an epic undertaking. The obelisk was encased in a massive, iron cylinder that acted as a special ship, or "Cleopatra," and towed across the Mediterranean. The voyage was perilous, and the ship was lost at sea for a time before being recovered. It finally arrived in 1878, where it was ceremoniously placed, flanked by two bronze sphinxes. The obelisk, now known as "Cleopatra's Needle," has stood in the heart of London ever since.
Paris: The Center of the Concorde
The obelisk in the Place de la Concorde is the oldest of the three and a magnificent example of a diplomatic gift. Originally from the Luxor Temple, this obelisk was created for Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE.
In the 1830s, it was gifted to France by Muhammad Ali Pasha in exchange for a French clock. The journey was an extraordinary feat of engineering. A specially designed barge, "Le Louxor," was built to transport the 250-ton monolith up the Nile and across the sea to France. Its arrival was a major national event, and its erection in 1836 in the center of the famous square became a symbol of French power and prestige. The obelisk now stands on a new pedestal detailing the monumental effort required for its journey, a testament to the enduring relationship between the two nations.
New York: The Central Park Sentinel
The New York obelisk is the other half of the pair originally crafted for Thutmose III and once stood alongside the London obelisk in Alexandria. Like its twin, it was also a diplomatic gift.
In the 1870s, as the American public's fascination with Egypt grew, the obelisk was gifted to the United States. Its journey to America was perhaps the most challenging. The obelisk, weighing over 200 tons, had to be carefully removed from its position, moved on a custom railway car, loaded onto a ship, and then, upon arrival in New York, transported to Central Park. The final leg of the journey through the city streets was a grand spectacle, requiring a complex system of steam-powered machines to roll the obelisk on logs. It was finally erected in 1881, where it has since stood as a timeless sentinel overlooking the city.
Join the Discussion:
The obelisks in London, Paris, and New York tell a story of diplomacy, engineering, and the enduring global fascination with ancient Egypt. Which of these monumental journeys do you find most impressive, and why? Share your thoughts on these symbols of Kemet in the comments below!