Luxor Obelisk, Paris

By Matt On August 7, 2012 in Entries, Public Art ; Add Comment

Luxor Obelisk, Paris

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*Basics:*
Location:	8th arrondissement
	Paris, France
Height:	75 Feet
Materials:	Red Granite
	Bronze
Built:	1300 B.C. (original)
	1836 (placed in Paris)

This 3,300-year-old granite obelisk punctuates the largest public square in Paris and was originally located in front of the Luxor Temple in Egypt.

Key Details:

The obelisk was first placed outside the Luxor Temple with its twin and served as the entrance to the temple complex. The other obelisk still stands in its original location.

In 1831, a French Naval engineer arranged to swap the Obelisk for a large clock that was eventually placed in the clock tower of the Mohammed Ali Mosque. The Obelisk was presented to King Charles X by Egyptian viceroy Méhémet Ali. While the gift was graciously accepted, the task of moving the 200+ ton monument presented a unique challenge. It was loaded onto a large barge and shipped to Paris via the French paddle ship “Sphinx”. After arriving in Paris in 1833, the monument was erected in the Place de la Concorde in 1836. The shiny gold cap–a ‘pyramidon’- was added in 1998. It is believed that a gold pyramidon was part of the obelisk during its original installation in Egypt but was stolen around 600 B.C. by Assyrian or Persian invaders. By adding the cap, it is believe that the obelisk has been restored nearly to its original glory.

The obelisk itself has several hieroglyph inscriptions near the top. These are believed to depict pharaoh Ramses II making offerings to Amun-Re, the ”King of the Gods”. Three additional columns of hieroglyph are shown on each of the four sides of the obelisk and denote praise of Ramses II.

If You Go:

The Place de la Concorde is located between the terminus of the Champs-Élysées and the Tuileries Garden. The Fountaines de la Concorde are directly adjacent and the various major public sculpture are in the near vicinity. This is a must see for tourists visiting Paris.

Sources:

http://www.placesinfrance.com/the_luxor_obelisk_in_paris.html

http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Paris/Monuments-Paris/Obelisque.shtml

http://highskyblue.web.fc2.com/paris.htm