Vatican Obelisk (Obelisco Vaticano)

At the center of St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Obelisk rises 84 feet (26 meters) into the sky, symbolizing the Catholic Church’s power. Originally from Heliopolis, Egypt, the red-granite obelisk was brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula in AD 37 and later moved to its current location by Pope Sixtus V in 1586. Unlike many other obelisks, this one has no decorative carvings or inscriptions, presenting a smooth, unadorned surface. Today, visitors can marvel at its towering presence and the historical significance it holds in the heart of the Vatican.