Obelisk of Axum

The Obelisk of Axum (Tigrinya: ሓወልቲ ኣኽሱም, romanized: ḥawelti Akhsum; Amharic: የአክሱም ሐውልት, romanized: Ye’Åksum ḥāwelt) is a 4th-century CE, 24-metre (79 ft) tall phonolite stele, weighing 160 tonnes (160 long tons; 180 short tons), in the city of Axum in Ethiopia. It is ornamented with two false doors at the base and features decorations resembling windows on all sides. The obelisk ends in a semi-circular top, which used to be enclosed by metal frames.

Obelisk of Axum
ሓወልቲ ኣኽሱም
The Obelisk of Axum in Axum, Tigray Region (2009)
14°7′56″N 38°43′11″E
LocationAxum, Central Zone, Tigray Region, Ethiopia
TypeAksumite stele
MaterialSingle, solid block of a weather-resistant stone similar to granite
Height24 m (79 ft)
Completion date4th-century
Restored date19 April 2005
LocationEthiopia
Criteria(i)(iv)
Inscription1980 (4th Session)
AreaTigray Region
WebsiteOfficial website
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