Parts of Ramsis II obelisk to be re-assembled

CAIRO – 31 August 2019: Eight blocks of one of Ramses II’s obelisks arrived in Cairo on Friday, August 30.

These blocks were found in Ramses II’s temple at San Al-Haggar archaeological site in Zagazig. Ramses II blocks will be restored, assembled and placed in Tahrir Square.

After restoration and assembly, the obelisk will be 17 metres tall and weight 90 tonnes
This step comes in an attempt to develop Tahrir Square to introduce Egypt’s great civilization to the whole world.





Ramses II obelisk is made from red granite and decorated with scenes showing the famed Egyptian king standing before the gods with his different titles written alongside.

The secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, explained that the transfer of obelisk parts was performed under tight security by the tourism and antiquities police, this comes as a part of the government’s plan to enhance and develop Tahrir Square as part of the Historic Cairo Development project.




Mohamed Al-Saeidy, director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Technical Office, recounted that the antiquities ministry completed the first phase of the development project at San Al-Haggar archaeological site last September.

A collection of two obelisks, two colossi and two columns from the temple of Ramses II were restored, assembled and re-erected in their original location.

Currently the ministry of antiquities has started the second phase of the project, which is tailor made to restore, assemble and re-erect other obelisks, colossi and columns.

The French Institute for Oriental Archaeology in Cairo (IFAO) in cooperation with ministry of antiquities has recently launched a project to upgrade facilities and services provided to the site’s visitors such as launching a visitor centre, the installation of signage, and the establishment of a website for the site.