Lateran Obelisk
Monument Ancient Egyptian obelisk standing at Rome's Lateran Basilica
An ancient Egyptian obelisk erected in Rome’s Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, the Lateran Obelisk stands near the Basilica of St. John Lateran; visitors combine the monument with the basilica and nearby archaeological sites.
The Lateran Obelisk stands in the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome in front of the cathedral basilica. It is the tallest ancient Egyptian obelisk in Rome and one of the city’s most prominent monolithic monuments.
Visitors approach the obelisk on the square outside the Archbasilica of St John Lateran; the monument forms a formal focal point in the plaza and is visible from the basilica steps. It has an Egyptian origin and was brought to Rome in antiquity.
The obelisk was moved and re-erected in its present position during late 16th-century papal urban projects aimed at reorganising Rome’s monuments and piazzas. Its re-erection in the square made it a conspicuous element of the Lateran complex.
It sits at the eastern edge of central Rome adjacent to the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, within walking distance of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
- Setting: Located on the plaza in front of the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, making it easy to visit when touring central Rome's papal and ecclesiastical sites.
- Historical note: Erected in its present position in the late 16th century during papal urban works, and often described as the tallest ancient obelisk in Rome.
How to Get to Lateran Obelisk #
The obelisk is in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, adjacent to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Metro: Line A to San Giovanni. Several bus lines also serve the square. The area is a short walk from the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Tips for Visiting Lateran Obelisk #
- Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light on the obelisk and fewer tourists.
- Combine with a visit to the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the Scala Sancta nearby.
- Look for the Latin inscriptions on the base and the elaborate papal reliefs installed when it was re-erected by Domenico Fontana.
Best Time to Visit Lateran Obelisk #
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant for sightseeing in Rome; summer is crowded and hot.
Weather & Climate near Lateran Obelisk #
Lateran Obelisk's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (718 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 16 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 99 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
