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Obelisco Sallustiano

Typology: Monuments

Address

Address: Piazza della Trinità dei Monti
Zone: Rione Campo Marzio (P.Spagna-P.Popolo-Pincio) (Roma centro)

Description


As opposed to other obelisks brought to Rome without inscriptions, this obelisk, along with the ones in Piazza Navona and Pincio, was decorated with hieroglyphics after transportation.
The Trinità dei Monti obelisk is almost 14 metres high, made of red granite, and was decorated with a copy of an ancient inscription on the obelisk in Piazza del Popolo. But the execution was so imprecise that some of the signs are said to have been carved backwards. This practice of copying should not be surprising, because it was also quite well-known and widespread in Egypt. The date of its transport to Rome is not known, but it is certain that it was first erected in the Horti Sallustiani, between the Quirinal and the Pincio, and that, on the death of the owners, ownership of it and the Horti passed to the Emperor Tiberius. It remained fortunately unscathed and standing during the ravages of 410 at the hands of Alaric and the Goths. But it finally fell, although it was never completely lost and forgotten.
Sixtus V wanted to erect it in front of the church of St Mary of the Angels. About a century later Athanasius Kircker, who had discovered the secret of its inscription, proposed its re-erection to Pope Alexander VII, but it was only in 1734 that Pope Clement XII succeeded in having it transported to St John's Square, near the Scala Santa, where it was not erected. In fact, during this period there were negotiations for its transport to Paris. In the end, Pope Pius VI decided to erect it at the top of the Spanish Steps, entrusting it to the architect Antinori, even though there was a chorus of negative opinions and a certain concern on the part of the Minim fathers of the Trinity, who feared for the façade of their church. The work was completed in 1787.

See also

Culture and leisure › Historic places of worship › Catholic Churches
Culture and leisure › Cultural heritage › Architectural and historical heritage
Last checked: 2023-03-27 15:17