Ramses II obelisk installed in Tahrir Square

CAIRO - 18 February 2020: The development of Tahrir Square continues, as the parts of Ramses II Obelisk are installed. The Cairo governor demanded the speedy completion of painting the buildings surrounding the historical square and developing the roads.

The obelisk installed in Tahrir Square spans back to the era of Ramses II. It was previously located in San el-Hagar area in Sharqiyah Governorate.

The obelisk was divided into several parts. Put together, the obelisk reached a height of 19 meters and a weight of approximately 90 tons.

Carved out of pink granite, the obelisk is distinguished by the beauty of its inscriptions depicting Rameses II standing before one of the deities, surrounded by inscriptions of his various titles.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled el-Anani stated that placing the obelisk in Tahrir Square does not pose any danger to the valuable monument or the people.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has just finished installing the hierarchical base for Ramses II obelisk in Tahrir Square as part of its development work. The other parts of the obelisk have also been installed on a raised base so that they are out of reach.

All parts of the obelisk were subjected to restoration and assembly by a team of professional restorers from the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The obelisk installed in Tahrir Square is not the only obelisk belonging to King Ramses II found in San el-Hagar archaeological area in Sharqiyah.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has restored, assembled, and erected two obelisks, two columns/pillars and two statues in the Ramses II Temple, in addition to restoring and lifting some archaeological parts placed on terraces to protect them.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities also started with self-financing the second stage of the restoration, assembly and erection of a number of other obelisks, statues and columns in San el-Hagar area, which is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt’s Delta.