The 'Dogali' Obelisk

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The 'Dogali' Obelisk

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The 'Dogali' Obelisk (5.4 m), which stands in the Giardini Einaudi, near the main railway station, dates back to the reign of Ramesses II (r. 1279-1213 BCE). It was originally one of a pair from Heliopolis; its twin is now in the Boboli Gardens in Florence. It was moved from Heliopolis to Rome, where it stood outside the Temple of Isis.

It was unearthed in 1883 by Rodolfo Lanciani near the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. On June 5th, 1887, the obelisk was erected in front of Stazione Termini to commemorate the Battle of Dogali (January 26th, 1887), in which 548 Italian soldiers were killed by Ethiopian troops. It was moved to its present position in 1924. 

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