At nearly 30 meters high, the Obelisk at Slottsbacken is a prominent feature of the Old Town in Stockholm. Originally unveiled in 1800, it commemorates the courage of Stockholm's citizens during the Russo-Swedish War of 1788-1790. What's hidden beneath its neo-Egyptian design?
The Obelisk is not just a monument; it's a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation of the time. The original structure, weighing 150 tons, was made of 17 different pieces of granite. However, due to deterioration and damage, it was replaced in 2020 with a new structure that weighs 280 tons and is made of solid stone.
The Obelisk's history is as intriguing as its design. It was commissioned by King Gustav III, unveiled by King Gustav IV Adolf, and has a neo-Egyptian design by the artist Louis Jean Desprez. Yet, Gustav III died before the monument was finished, and the construction was considered complicated since the obelisk was made of many heavy stone boulders.
In 2017, the original Obelisk was dismantled for repair and restoration work. The materials for the new Obelisk were quarried in an area near Hunnebostrand and processed by stonemason Ted Zaar at Zaarstone in Vilshult. From the Obelisk, all street numbers in Stockholm have their common origin.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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