Where did the obelisk in Place de la Concorde come from?
Place de la Concorde in Paris 8 is one of the 5 Royal Squares in Paris and the symbol of classic French elegance. In the center of this square stands today the Luxor Obelisk brought directly from Egypt. Built in the 13th century BC), this Egyptian monument in Paris is the oldest monument in Paris!
Why is the Luxor Obelisk important?
The origins of the Luxor Obelisk Also this particular Obelisk dates back over 3,300 years and is made of red granite, it has hieroglyphics from the Egyptians that depict the rule of Ramses II and Ramses III, which means that the Luxor Obelisk is a major monument for the history of the world, yet alone Paris.
Why is Place de la Concorde important to the French Revolution?
It was the site of many notable public executions, including the executions of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in the course of the French Revolution, during which the square was temporarily renamed Place de la Révolution. …
What does the Luxor Obelisk represent?
They Were Built by the Ancient Egyptians Another Obelisk can be found at the Luxor Temple in Egypt. They had been placed at the entrance of the temple. The obelisks were associated with the Egyptian Sun god, they represented the rays of light.
How old is the obelisk in Place de la Concorde?
The obelisk once marked the entrance to the Luxor Temple. The self-declared Khedive of Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha, offered the 3,300-year-old Luxor Obelisk to France in 1829. It arrived in Paris on 21 December 1833. Three years later, on 25 October 1836, King Louis Philippe had it placed in the center of Place de la Concorde.
Where was the Luxor Obelisk located in Paris?
The Luxor Obelisk on the Place de la Concorde, Paris. Louis-Philippe also had the Luxor Obelisk, a gift from Egypt, installed in the centre and flanked by two fountains. Later, the surrounding moat was filled in. King Louis XVI was decapitated on January 21, 1793, near the pedestal that now holds the statue of Brest.
How old is the Place de la Concorde?
At the center of the square is the spectacular Luxor obelisk, a defining feature of the Place de la Concorde since it was erected in 1836. Given as a gift from Egypt to France in 1829, the granite monument is over 3,000 years old and stands 23 meters (75 feet) high.
Who was the architect of the Concorde in Paris?
They were designed by Jacques Ignace Hittorff, a student of the Neoclassical designer Charles Percier at the École des Beaux-Arts. The German-born Hittorff had served as the official Architect of Festivals and Ceremonies for the deposed King, and had spent two years studying the architecture and fountains of Italy.
