The Lateran Obelisk (Obelisco Lateranense) is located on the Piazza Giovanni Paolo Secondo and is the oldest existing Egyptian obelisk in Rome. The fountain was a later addition. Its original spot was on the Circus Maximus. In 1588, it was placed in its present location, by Domenico Fontana.
A brief history of the Lateran Obelisk in Rome
The Lateran Obelisk itself is over 32m tall. Including its base however, its total height reaches almost 46m.
It is made of red granite and was brought to Rome from Thebe, an Egyptian city along the Nile, now known as Luxor. In Thebe, the obelisk was placed in front of the Temple of Amon. It was dedicated to Pharaoh Tutmosi III, who lived in the 15th century BC.
The obelisk was shipped to Rome in the year 357 AD by Costanzo II and was initially placed on the spine of the Circus Maximus. After the Circus Maximus was abandoned, both the Obelisco Lateranense and the other obelisk that had been erected there (now the Obelisco Flaminio) were covered with earth and forgotten. They were rediscovered, 4 meters below ground, in 1587, during the reign of Pope Sixtus V.
The obelisk had been broken into three pieces. The Pope commissioned Domenico Fontana to restore it and place it in its present location, in front of the back entrance to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano.
A twin obelisk, which stood in front of the spina of the Hippodrome of Constantinople, has always remained in the same place. For those planning to visit Istanbul, it is located in the middle of Sultanhamet Square.
Fountain
The fountain was only later placed below the south side of the obelisk. It is not known who the designer was. As possibilities, besides Fontana himself, Pietro Bernini, Flaminio Ponzio and Taddeo Landini have been mentioned.
The fountain, fed by the Acqua Felice Aqueduct, was completed in 1607. Its construction had taken about 5 years.
The Fountain consists of a large tub decorated with two dolphins supporting a shell. On either side of the tub are two winged dragons and above them is a large eagle. The dragons are part of the coat of arms of Paul V Borghese, who was pope at the time the fountain was completed.
Other elements (lions and garlands) are part of the coat of arms of Sixtus V, which means that Fontana must have been (at least partly) involved.
A bronze statue representing John the Baptist was removed in the 18th century, as were the irises from the coat of arms of Pope Leo XI.
Address, opening hours and admission
Address: Piazza Giovanni Paolo Secondo – Rome. Metro: San Giovanni. Bus: 16, 51, 85, 87. Metro: San Giovanni (line A). Opening hours and admission: The monument can be viewed from outside.
Where to go next
Both the Basilica of Saint John Lateran and the Baptistery face the Piazz Giovanni Paolo Secondo. The Via Merulana leads to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
Piazza Giovanni Paolo Secondo – Rome
Sources
- Touring Club Italiano – Rome.
- Photos are my own, unless otherwise indicated (© RenatoProsciutto).
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