Obelisco del Quirinale

This obelisk, the Obelisco del Quirinale, has a twin. They were likely crafted in Rome, not Egypt, despite their appearance. Imagine these granite giants standing guard at the entrance to the grand Mausoleum of Augustus, testaments to a bygone era. Unearthed in fragments in 1781, the Obelisco del Quirinale embarked on a journey of restoration. Four years later, it found its new home here in Piazza del Quirinale, thanks to Pope Pius VI. Look closely – you’ll notice the obelisk lacks a pyramidion, that pointed top we associate with such monuments. Ancient Egyptians considered it symbolic, but the Romans, it seems, missed the memo. The missing pyramidion, coupled with the obelisk’s history, suggests Roman, not Egyptian, origins. Flanking the obelisk are the majestic “Dioscuri” sculptures, depicting the mythical twin brothers Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus. Originally gracing the Baths of Constantine, these imposing figures predate the obelisk’s arrival in the square. Finally, notice the grand water bowl. It arrived in the 19th century, a transplant from the ancient Temple of Castor and Pollux in the Roman Forum, adding another layer to this historical tapestry. The Obelisco del Quirinale, a silent witness to centuries of history, offers us a glimpse into the Roman fascination with Egyptian aesthetics and their own grand ambitions.