Who designed the system for moving the obelisk to the new location in St Peter's Square Rome?
Who designed the system for moving the obelisk to the new location in St Peter's Square Rome? In 1586 Domenico Fontana completed the extraordinary task, commissioned by Pope Sixtus V, of moving the Vatican obelisk. The structure was said to have a 'mysterious magic of an unknown civilization', accepted by Christians due to the belief that it had witnessed the martyrdom of Saint Peter.
How heavy is the Vatican obelisk?
The Vatican Obelisk has a height of 83.6 feet (134.5 feet with base) and weighs 331 tons. It stands on a base 27 feet wide. This is the only obelisk in Rome that has not toppled since Roman times.
What is the hidden meaning of the obelisk?
The Egyptian monument represented a given pharaoh, expressing the fusion of earthly and divine power, a solar symbol of creation and regeneration. With a square base, the structure gradually tapered high up in a pyramid shape, called pyramidion.
What does it say on the front of St Peters?
The inscription (1m high) states: Paul V Borghese, Roman, Pontiff, in the year 1612, the seventh of his pontificate, [erected] in honour of the Prince of Apostles. From the central balcony, called the Loggia of the Blessings, the new pope is announced with Habemus Papum, and gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing.
What is the obelisk in front of St Peters?
Located in front of St Peter's Basilica and the charming Bernini colonnade, the Vatican Obelisk is one of the 13 antique obelisks of Rome. Carved out of red granite, it rises over 25 meters; with the base and the Cross, it reaches almost 40 meters.
What is written on the obelisk?
The obelisk is inscribed with the kings official titulary: Strong-bull, Appearing-in-Dominion (Thebes), King-of-Upper-and-Lower-Egypt, Two-ladies, Ruler-of-Egypt, Son-of-Rê, Pi(ankh)y: what he made as his monument for his father Amen-Rê, lord of [...].
What does the obelisk symbolize?
Scholars believe that obelisks represented eternity and immortality, and their long, tapering form functioned to connect the heavens and the earth. Their pinnacles were typically covered in gold to reflect the sunlight.
What does the upside down obelisk mean?
The upside down obelisk expresses the reality of loss and pain over the ways that communities and societies are not living up to the highest ideals. The hope in the dream of restored obelisk is reflected in the water. It created a vision of a future not yet fully-realized but for which we deeply yearn.