Vatican obelisk

Emperor Caligula had it shipped to Rome in 40 AD, and placed it at the center of the Circus of Nero, the site of which is, in modern times, mostly in Vatican City.

The idea of moving the obelisk was first raised by Pope Nicholas V.[4] Sixtus V's relocation was considered to be a symbolic act, illustrating the triumph of Christianity over Paganism.

[5] A detailed account of the relocation was published in Della transportatione dell'obelisco Vaticano e delle fabriche di Sisto V (Rome, 1590).

According to a popular medieval legend, the ancient bronze globe that crowned the obelisk was believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar or Trajan.

On the occasion of the obelisk's relocation, the globe was presented to the city by Sixtus V. It was placed first on the Marforio fountain, then in 1692 on the balustrade of the Piazza del Campidoglio.

Vatican Obelisk
Moving of the obelisk - the left hand side shows the Obelisk topped by the globe, as it stood next to Old St. Peter's Basilica, whilst the right hand side shows the Obelisk after its relocation, with the cross atop it.