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The Dogali Obelisk in Rome: 9 metres of Egyptian granite with a truly Italian story
On Via delle Terme di Diocleziano stands the Dogali Obelisk, over 9 metres of red granite inscribed with dedications to the Sun god. It comes from ancient Heliopolis, like the twin obelisk now standing in the Boboli Gardens in Florence.
From Egypt to the Temple of Isis
Like the two obelisks in Piazza della Rotonda and Villa Celimontana, this one was also brought from Heliopolis to Rome to decorate the Temple of Isis. Then, as happened to many Roman obelisks, it disappeared underground for centuries.
A chance rediscovery
The top re-emerged in 1719, during work on the foundations of the Biblioteca Casanatense. But the rest remained buried until 1883, when a commission set up to carry out excavations in Rome after the Unification of Italy recovered the entire obelisk.
Why "Dogali"?
The name comes from a tragic event. During the war between Italy and Ethiopia, 548 Italian soldiers lost their lives in an ambush at Dogali. The obelisk was erected in their memory in front of Termini Station, with lions and bronze plaques at the base bearing the names of the fallen. The ceremony took place on 5 June 1887. Only in 1924, during an urban redesign of the square, was it moved to where it stands today — a stone's throw from the Baths of Diocletian.
Practical info
The obelisk is located in Via delle Terme di Diocleziano, Rome.
