Vaticano Obelisk, St. Peter's Square (Rome)

An Egyptian Obelisk from Heliopolis. There are theories why this - like another two, Esquilino and Quirinale - has no hieroglyphs. In 37 AD, Emperor Caligula transported it to Rome, and erected it in the Caligula Circus (later the Nero Circus and then Vatican Circus).
Relocated by Pope Sixtus V in 1586 using a method devised by Domenico Fontana; the first monumental obelisk raised in the modern period, it is the only obelisk in Rome that has not toppled since Roman times. During the Middle Ages, the gilt ball on top of the obelisk was believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar. Fontana later removed the ancient metal ball, now in a Rome museum, that stood atop the obelisk and found only dust. Pero Tafur in his Andanças (circa 1440) mentions that many passed between the ground and the "tower" basis "thinking it a saintly thing".
April 30, 1586 the operations started - 907 men, 75 horses and 40 cranes were required. The obelisk was raised into position on September 10, six days later it was placed on the base and on September 26 it was blessed and consecrated.
As a pagan monument in the greatest Christian square, it is a symbol of humanity reaching out to Christ. Originally it was inscribed to "Divine Augustus" and "Divine Tiberius" and now dedicated to the Holy Cross with the inscription - "Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat. Christus ab omni malo plebem suam defendat."(Christ is the victor, Christ is King,Christ is the ruler,May Christ defend His people from all evil) . It is topped by a bronze cross.
On The east and west sides are inscribed exorcist formulas.