Obelisk Odyssey: How a 3,500-Year-Old Egyptian Giant Came to Chill in Central Park
Ever wondered how that giant needle sticking out of Central Park got there? You'd think it would be a pretty big deal to move a 200-ton hunk of granite across the Atlantic, and you'd be right. Buckle up, history buffs and fans of the absurd, because this is the story of how an ancient Egyptian obelisk ended up becoming a New York icon.
From Pharaoh's Playground to Port Said: A Not-So-Smooth Start
Our star of the show, actually one of a pair originally, was built in Egypt around 1475 BCE. They stood tall for centuries, witnessing the rise and fall of pharaohs. Then, things got a little rough. Invasions, toppled monuments - the usual wear and tear of history. Fast forward to the 1870s, and one of these obelisks finds itself in Alexandria, Egypt. The Khedive of Egypt, a fancy title for ruler at the time, was feeling generous and offered an obelisk to the United States. Enter Commodore Vanderbilt, a man who liked big things and apparently, really wanted an ancient Egyptian monument in his backyard (well, not literally his backyard, but you get the idea).
Across the Pond: Ocean Voyages Weren't Always Smooth Sailing (Literally)
The journey wasn't exactly relaxing. They loaded this giant rock onto a ship called the SS Dessoug by, wait for it, rolling it on cannonballs! Talk about a heavy metal crew. Unfortunately, the Dessoug wasn't exactly built for obelisks, and its propeller broke mid-trip. Luckily, the ship managed to limp to New York with its precious cargo.
The Big Move: New York Says, "Hold My Beer" (and My Horses)
Getting this giant needle from the river to Central Park was an engineering feat worthy of a Monty Python sketch. They built a special railroad track, used a whole lot of muscle (including 32 very strong horses), and even had to cut a hole in the side of the ship at one point. New Yorkers were understandably excited, with some even trying to snag a souvenir chip of the obelisk with hammers and chisels (security wasn't exactly top-notch back then). Finally, after 112 days (because apparently, moving a giant rock is slow work), the obelisk reached its final resting place in Central Park in 1881.
Frequently Asked Obelisk Odyssey Questions
How to visit the obelisk? Just head to Central Park, near the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can't miss it, it's kind of hard to overlook a giant stone needle!
How much does the obelisk weigh? A cool 200 tons, making it one of the heaviest things you'll ever see just hanging out in a park.
How old is the obelisk? This stony giant is around 3,500 years old, making it older than, well, pretty much everything in New York City.
How did the obelisk get its nickname, "Cleopatra's Needle?" While Cleopatra may have seen the obelisk in its original location in Egypt, it wasn't actually built for her. The nickname is a bit of a misnomer, but it stuck.
How many obelisks are there in Central Park? Just the one (for now, at least). Its twin obelisk resides in London, so you can do a whole international obelisk comparison tour if you're feeling fancy.
So there you have it! The next time you're strolling through Central Park and see the obelisk, remember its incredible journey. It's a reminder that even ancient monuments can travel the world and find a new home, even if it takes a little muscle, a lot of engineering, and maybe a slightly seasick ship.
