Luxor Obelisk facts for kids
The Luxor Obelisk is a very tall, ancient stone pillar from Egypt. It was given as a special gift to France in the 1800s. Today, you can see this amazing monument standing proudly in the center of the famous Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. It is sometimes called the Concorde Obelisk because of its location.
Contents
The Amazing Luxor Obelisk
The Luxor Obelisk is an ancient Egyptian monument. It was originally one of two obelisks that stood outside the Luxor Temple in Egypt. These giant stone pillars were often placed in pairs at the entrance of important temples. They were built to honor pharaohs and gods.
A Gift from Egypt
This particular obelisk was a gift from Muhammad Ali Pasha, who was the ruler of Egypt. He offered it to Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous French leader, in 1830. It was a grand gesture of friendship between the two nations. Moving such a huge stone pillar was a massive challenge in those days!
Where It Stands Today
After a long journey from Egypt, the Luxor Obelisk was finally put in place in Place de la Concorde in Paris. This is one of the largest and most famous public squares in Paris. It's a very busy spot, and the obelisk stands right in the middle, watching over everything.
How Big Is It?
The Luxor Obelisk is truly enormous. It stands about 23 meters (or 75 feet) tall. That's roughly as tall as an eight-story building! It also weighs a massive 234 metric tons. To give you an idea, that's heavier than 40 adult elephants! The obelisk is made from a very strong type of rock called Syenite, which is similar to granite.
Images for kids
-
Removing the obelisk from its original home in Egypt.
-
The Cairo Citadel Clock, reportedly given by the French in the 1840s, outside the Mosque of Muhammad Ali.
See also
In Spanish: Obelisco de Luxor para niños
