Saint Peter’s Square in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Over 100,000 people have been known to squeeze into Saint Peter’s Square on occasions like Easter or midnight mass or after a conclave takes place and a new Pope makes his first appearance to the massive crowds on the square. However right in the center of Saint Peter’s Square, you will find a monument that is impossible to miss called an Egyptian Obelisk. These Obelisks were taken from Egypt by the Ancient Romans so it is rather ironic that right in the center of Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican is a stolen object. So what is an Egyptian Obelisk and why does the Vatican have one?
Heh... the Romans really liked those, and boosted a bunch. That one in particular was brought over for Caligula, and the boat that had to be built to transport it was so large, even by Roman standards, that it became a tourist attraction in its own right. Eventually, Claudius had it sunk end-down for use as a form to pour the concrete mole to anchor the breakwater for his all-season port.