Cleopatra's needle
Embankment underground station.
It is also called the obelisk. Originally built as a pair for the
Temple of the Sun at Heliopolis
It was dug out of the sand in which it had
been buried for nearly 2,000 years and was
encased in a great iron cylinder, 92 feet
(28 m) long and 16 feet (4.9 m) in diameter,
designed by the engineer John Dixon.
Cleopatra's Needle is flanked by two Egyptian
sphinxes cast from bronze that bear
hieroglyphic inscriptions that say netjer nefer
menkheperre di ankh (the good god,
Thuthmosis III given life). These Sphinxes
appear to be looking at the Needle rather than
guarding it. This is due to the Sphinxes'
improper or backwards installation.
The setting is neatly completed by
two large bronze Sphinxes which lie
on either side of the Needle. These
are a very Victorian version of the
traditional Egyptian original, but still
look impressive.
I think, that Cleopatra's needle has a big importance in Egypt history. And it is good to
annaabi.ee 
