Macuteo Obelisk (Pantheon)
Ancient Egyptian (Ramesses II era)
~13th century BC
Obelisk
Free
5 min
Discovered in the 14th century at the convent of San Macuto.
Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
A small (6.3-metre) red granite obelisk of Pharaoh Ramses II, brought to Rome in antiquity for a temple of Isis. Lost during the Middle Ages, it was rediscovered in the 14th century at the convent of San Macuto — hence its name. In 1711, Pope Clement XI had it placed atop Giacomo della Porta's existing 1575 fountain in front of the Pantheon, where it has stood ever since.