Cleopatra’s Needle is a 3500 year-old Egyptian obelisk, originally from Heliopolis, Egypt, that since January 22, 1881 has stood in New York City’s Central Park, beside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The obelisk itself is said to weigh 220 tons, with its pedestal weighing 50 tons, both of which are made of solid pink granite. I’m not as clear on its height, with some sources referring to the “monument’s height” at 69 or 70 feet. I’m 5’9″, so a person can make an estimate looking a the photograph. In any case, it’s simply massive. Looking at it in person was extremely impressive, with its size inspiring not a small amount of awe, I have to say.

My primary information for it comes from the Central Park Conservancy’s website at www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/obelisk.html. It was built and erected around 1450 BC in Heliopolis, Egypt and is one of a pair. Approximately 1500 years later, in 18 AD, both obelisks were transported and erected in Alexandria, Egypt, where they remained until the  late 1800s. In 1878 one was moved to London, England, and on June 12th, 1880, this one left Alexandria aboard the steamship SS Dessoug, headed for New York City. Upon reaching the banks of the Hudson River, it took workers 112 days to move the obelisk to Central Park. It was set in place January 22nd, 1881. Thousands of people attended the event. Interestingly, some sources I’ve read so far mention a full-blown Masonic ceremony being conducted. Wikipedia alone mentions 9000 Masons taking part in the parade. There is a fairly good 2014 article on it, containing good images, on the New York Post’s website, a decent write-up on it on the Ancient Origins site, and an interesting article on the Freemason Lifestyle site that includes intriguing details about the obelisk’s pedestal. 

To find the obelisk in Central Park, simply enter the park from the south end, walk northeast to the back side of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s a bit strange, as the obelisk’s location is somewhat inconspicuous. A passerby could easily miss it. Interestingly, most friends and family members I’ve told about it have never heard anything about it. I find it a bit perplexing that something this impressive and this ancient has been relegated to such an obscure position in the public consciousness.