Remaining Luxor Obelisk — Attraction in Luxor City

The Remaining Luxor Obelisk: A Monument of Pharaoh Ramesses II.

The Remaining Luxor Obelisk stands majestically in front of the Luxor Temple, offering visitors a striking introduction to this historic site. Originally, two identical obelisks were erected by Pharaoh Ramesses II at the temple’s entrance during the 13th century BCE. Today, only one remains in Luxor, while its twin was gifted to France in the 19th century and now stands in Paris’ Place de la Concorde.

The obelisk is made of red granite and rises approximately 25 meters high, weighing over 200 tons. Its surface is covered with detailed hieroglyphic inscriptions that praise Ramesses II, commemorate his military victories, and honor the gods of ancient Thebes. The obelisk’s slender, tapering shape and pyramidion at the top were designed to symbolize a ray of the sun.

Visitors approaching the obelisk notice not only its impressive size but also the precision and skill of its construction. Transporting such a massive monolith and erecting it in the New Kingdom era required extraordinary ingenuity and labor. The inscriptions, still clearly visible, offer a direct connection to the pharaoh’s authority and the religious devotion of ancient Egyptians.

Today, the Remaining Luxor Obelisk serves as a powerful reminder of Egypt’s architectural and artistic...

The Remaining Luxor Obelisk, also known as the Luxor Obelisk, is a monumental ancient Egyptian obelisk located in the center of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. Originally erected at the entrance of the Luxor Temple in ancient Thebes (modern-day Luxor, Egypt), the obelisk was gifted to France by the viceroy of Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha, in the 19th century.

Constructed during the reign of Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE, the Luxor Obelisk is one of a pair, with its twin still standing at the entrance of the Luxor Temple. Made of pink granite and standing over 23 meters (75 feet) tall, the obelisk is adorned with hieroglyphs and inscriptions commemorating the achievements of Ramesses II and honoring the god Amun.

The transportation of the Luxor Obelisk to Paris was a remarkable feat of engineering and diplomacy, undertaken in the early 1830s. After its arrival in France, the obelisk was erected in its current location in 1836 and has since become one of the iconic landmarks of the city.

Today, the Luxor Obelisk stands as a symbol of Franco-Egyptian friendship and serves as a reminder of the cultural and historical connections between Egypt and France. It remains a popular tourist attraction and a focal point for public gatherings and events in the...

We were lucky to visit the Luxor Temple on a day if celebration: 100years anniversary since Tutankamon's Tomb Discovery, hence the colorful photos. From what the guide told us, this Obelisk is tied to the curse of the ancient world. Muhammad Ali gave one of the obelisks to France (now in the Place de Concorde) as a gift. At that time, the people were angry he made such a decision. So when Egipt received a new clock for Cairo Train Station, it only worked for a couple of days, then stopped - and no one was able to repair it to this day. That's why, in mockery, the Egyptians say it was a curse...