Della Trasportatione dell' Obelisco Vaticano, 1590, Domenico Fontana; Engraver: Natale Bonifacio, Italian, (born in Switzerland), 1543–1607, 16 1/4 × 11 × 1 in. ( × × cm) (closed), Engraving, etching and letterpress; bound volume., Italy, 16th century, In ancient times, a massive Egyptian obelisk was brought to Rome and set up in what would eventually become known as the Circle of Nero. In 1585, Pope Sixtus V wanted to move the 340-ton stone needle so that it would stand before the newly rebuilt Saint Peter’s Basilica.

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