Arles Obelisk

Arles, France

The Obélisque d'Arles is a 4th-century Roman obelisk, erected in the center of the Place de la République, in front of the town hall of Arles. The obelisk is made of granite from Asia Minor. It does not feature any inscription. Its height together with its pedestal is approximately 20 m.

The obelisk was first erected under the Roman emperor Constantine II in the center of the spina of the Roman circus of Arles. After the circus was abandoned in the 6th century, the obelisk fell down and was broken in two parts. It was rediscovered in the 14th century and re-erected on top of a pedestal soon surmounted by a bronze globe and sun on March 26, 1676.

Designed by Jacques Peytret, these ornaments changed in times of political regimes. During the Revolution, the sun was replaced by a Phrygian cap; under the Empire, the eagle replaced the cap; under Louis-Philippe, the royal sun took the place of the rooster hunting the eagle. Since 1866, the ornaments were permanently removed and replaced by a bronze capstone until a fountain and the sculptures around it were designed by Antoine Laurent Dantan in the 19th century.

This obelisk It is part of a 1981-designated UNESCO world heritage site, the Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments.

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Address

Place de la République 6, Arles, France
See all sites in Arles

Details

Founded: 300-400 AD
Category: Statues in France
Historical period: Roman Gaul (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.arles-guide.com

Rating

4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Arles Amphitheatre (0,3 km)
Arles Roman Theatre (0,2 km)
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Arles Cryptoporticus (0,1 km)
Thermae of Constantine (0,3 km)
Musée Réattu (0,3 km)
Arles and Provence Antiques Museum (1 km)
Montmajour Abbey (4,4 km)
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Palais des Papes (33,8 km)
Avignon Cathedral (33,8 km)
Arena of Nîmes (27,8 km)
Musée du Petit Palais (33,9 km)
Pont du Gard (31 km)
Pont d'Avignon (34 km)
Maison Carrée (28,3 km)
Duchy of Uzès Castle (41 km)
Jardins de la Fontaine (28,8 km)

User Reviews

Alvin Palmgren (7 months ago)
A nice and beautiful plaza many historical buildings and ancient-looking obelisk at it's center.
Tim & Valerie Putnam (18 months ago)
Classic civic square surrounded on three sides by public institutions, pedestrianised and of modest size it feels welcoming although the facades are large scale and relatively restrained. A focal point during the Rencontres photo expos.
Michiel Castro (2 years ago)
Beautifull town square that gives you the ancient roman vibes the city is known for.
CineFilippo (2 years ago)
C'entra Place of the city, surrounded bay beautiful buildings
Ognian Dimitrov (2 years ago)
Central City Square, here are some of the main attractions of Arles, but the most impressive is the obelisk taken from the ancient Roman stadium. Now it is in the center of the square.
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