The history of civilizations older than our own is absolutely fascinating. The American Revolution may be many generations in the past, but it’s nothing compared to places like Egypt or Rome that had been in existence for centuries by that point. Did you know there is a piece of ancient Egyptian architecture smack dab in the middle of New York City? Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park has stood for thousands of years, and needless to say, it has a fascinating history!
This giant statue just west of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is pretty easily visible, but many have no idea of the fascinating history behind it.
Ralph Daily/Flickr The obelisk is nicknamed “Cleopatra’s Needle,” but it has no connection to the ancient ruler. It was already more than 1,000 years old when she was born.
Cleopatra’s Needle is actually one of a pair, with its twin being located in London. The red granite obelisks are 69 feet high and weigh 200 tons.
Central Park Conservatory
The obelisks were originally built in Heliopolis, Egypt way back in 1475 BC. They were later moved to Alexandria.
RV1864/Flickr
London’s obelisk was given to the city in the 1800s. Several New York government officials began petitioning the Khedive (a title meaning “viceroy”) of Egypt for their own obelisk.
New York Public Library The Khedive agreed and the transportation was funded by William Vanderbilt. The cost to transport the massive obelisk was over $2,000,000 in today’s funds.
Imagine how difficult it must have been to move such a massive object, particularly in 1879! The obelisk was carried on a U.S. steamship that had been modified with a large hole cut into the bow. It had to be pushed on via cannonballs.
New York Public Library
It took 32 horses to drag the obelisk and its 50-ton base from the East River to Central Park. Railroad tracks had to be temporarily raised and a trestle bridge created for a steam engine to push the obelisk for part of its journey.
New York Public Library
Sadly, pollution in New York has caused the surface of the obelisk to weather tremendously and the hieroglyphs are not as visible as they once were.
Central Park Conservatory
Have you seen this amazing historical obelisk in New York, and were you aware of its amazing history?
The history of civilizations older than our own is absolutely fascinating. The American Revolution may be many generations in the past, but it’s nothing compared to places like Egypt or Rome that had been in existence for centuries by that point. Did you know there is a piece of ancient Egyptian architecture smack dab in the middle of New York City? Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park has stood for thousands of years, and needless to say, it has a fascinating history!
Ralph Daily/Flickr
The obelisk is nicknamed “Cleopatra’s Needle,” but it has no connection to the ancient ruler. It was already more than 1,000 years old when she was born.
Central Park Conservatory
RV1864/Flickr
New York Public Library
The Khedive agreed and the transportation was funded by William Vanderbilt. The cost to transport the massive obelisk was over $2,000,000 in today’s funds.
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