Obelisco Flaminio

Flaminio Obelisk in Piazza del Popolo. In the background, the churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli

The Obelisco Flaminio (Flaminian Obelisk) is one of the thirteen ancient obelisks in Rome, placed in Piazza del Popolo.

It is 24 m (67 ft) high and with the basement and the cross reaches 36.50 m (100 ft).

History

It was built during the kingdom of Pharaohs Ramesses II and Merneptah (XIII century b.C.) and placed in the Temple of Sun in Heliopolis; it was brought to Rome in 10 b.C. by command of Augustus, together with Obelisk of Montecitorio, and placed on the spina of the Circus Maximus, followed three centuries later by Lateran Obelisk.