A 222-tonne Egyptian obelisk, erected in Paris in 1836, now faces north instead of east, hiding a century-old secret marked by a 1939 medallion.
Monolith at the center of Concorde
At the center of Place de la Concorde in Paris stands a massive monolith, 23 meters high and weighing 222 tonnes. It rests on a pedestal that weighs 240 tonnes and was erected in 1836.Original orientation altered
The obelisk was originally oriented to face the rising sun in Luxor, Egypt, but it was rotated approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise. Now, the face that once faced east faces north instead.Erection on October 25, 1836
The monolith was erected on October 25, 1836, in three and a half hours. The operation involved lifting machines and massive winches, led by engineer Apollinaire Lebas.Louis-Philippe’s cautious presence
Louis-Philippe I, the king at the time, remained hidden behind the windows of the Hôtel de la Marine out of fear of failure. He only appeared on the balcony when the monument was successfully erected.Public celebration
The event drew more than 200,000 people, a number equal to two and a half times the capacity of the Stade de France. The crowd gathered on the Place des Tuileries and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.No casualties or accidents
The operation lasted 3 hours and 30 minutes, with Lebas noting only 2 hours and 15 minutes of actual work. The effort was completed without injury or incident.Reason for the obelisk’s placement
Louis-Philippe chose to erect the obelisk at the center of the square to avoid political tensions. The site had previously been intended for a monument to Louis XVI, which had been destroyed during the Revolution.Origin of the obelisk
The obelisk originally belonged to the temple of Amun in Luxor, dating back to the 13th century BCE. It was transported to France after a journey that lasted several years.Medallion marking the shift
A medallion placed on the ground in 1939 acknowledges the change in orientation. It states, "From the east of Thebes rises in Paris the North," noting the shift from east to north.Inscriptions and details on the pedestal
The granite pedestal, carved in Brittany, carries inscriptions detailing the methods used to transport and erect the obelisk. One face features a large inscription in gold letters recalling the ceremony.Additional historical context
Mehmet Ali, the ruler of Egypt, offered two obelisks to France. Only one was transported due to the risks involved. The second remained in Luxor, and France later renounced its claim under President François Mitterrand.
