Cleopatra’s Needle

Cleopatra’s Needle in London is an iconic obelisk that stands proudly along the Victoria Embankment of the River Thames. Despite its name, it has no direct connection to Queen Cleopatra. The obelisk was originally erected in Egypt around 1450 BC during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III. It was later inscribed with hieroglyphs commemorating the military victories of Ramesses II. In 1819, Muhammad Ali Pasha, the ruler of Egypt, gifted Cleopatra’s Needle to Britain as a diplomatic gesture to strengthen relations between the two nations. He intended the gift to commemorate and honour British victories in the Battle of the Nile, where Lord Nelson and the British Navy defeated Napoleon’s forces and drove the French from Egypt. Transporting this ancient monument to London was an engineering marvel at that time. In 1877, the 68-foot, 180-ton obelisk was encased in a specially designed cylinder called the 'Cleopatra', resembling a massive iron cigar. However, during the voyage, the ship encountered a violent storm in the Bay of Biscay, resulting in the loss of six crew members. The obelisk was later recovered and towed to its final destination, where it was erected by the River Thames in 1878. An interesting fact for tourists is that the base of the obelisk is flanked by two bronze sphinxes. During World War I, a German bomb fell near the site in 1917, damaging one of the sphinxes and leaving visible shrapnel marks, which can still be seen today. With its remarkable history, scenic riverside location, and ties to both ancient Egypt and modern history, Cleopatra’s Needle offers a fascinating blend of culture and story for visitors to London.