Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
24 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
25 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
26 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
27 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Egypt Aswan Unfinished Obelisk

Unfinished Obelisk

The largest known Ancient Egyptian obelisk.

Aswan, Egypt

Added By
Tawsam
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Partially uncovered obelisk   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unfinished_ob...
Partially uncovered obelisk   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unfinished_ob...
Cracks in the Ancient Egyptian pillar   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unfinished_ob...
  Mary Beth / Atlas Obscura User
“Tools” used to hone the unfinished obelisk   Mary Beth / Atlas Obscura User
The quarry   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Around the Upper Egyptian city of Aswan are several ancient stone quarries, which were the source of Ancient Egypt's finest granite. The Northern Quarries of Aswan holds the remains of the Unfinished Obelisk.

Had it have ever been erected, this obelisk would have been the largest one of Ancient Egypt and would have reached a stunning height of 42 meters. The largest finished obelisk, the Lateran Obelisk is 10 meters shorter than the Unfinished Obelisk, and today stands in Rome, Italy. Although not the largest obelisk, it is nevertheless the largest known monolith of Ancient Egypt, and one of the largest in the world, with an estimated weight of 1,200 tons.

The work on the Unfinished Obelisk had been abandoned due to clearly visible cracks that appeared in the granite. The huge structure, which is partly connected to the parent rock, has been left in situ. The obelisk, together with several worker’s marks and rock carvings, provides a rare insight into the working techniques of Ancient Egypt. Virtually nothing is known about which pharaoh ordered the Obelisk and where it was supposed to be erected.

Related Tags

Monuments Cultures And Civilizations Ruins
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Egypt Family Adventure: Pyramids, Mummies & The Mighty Nile

Cross dream-like deserts and uncover the secrets of ancient pyramids.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Tawsam

Edited By

argusfoto, kostas1964ath, Jaszmina Szendrey, Mary Beth

  • argusfoto
  • kostas1964ath
  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • Mary Beth

Published

October 10, 2011

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unfinished_obelisk
  • Lonely Planet Egypt, 9th Edition, May 2008
Unfinished Obelisk
Sheyakhah Oula
Aswan
Egypt
24.0769, 32.895428
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Nabta Playa Stone Circle

Aswan, Egypt

miles away

King Jamaica Restaurant and Cafe

Aswan, Egypt

miles away

Monastery of St. Simeon

Aswan, Egypt

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aswan

Aswan

Egypt

Places 4

Nearby Places

Nabta Playa Stone Circle

Aswan, Egypt

miles away

King Jamaica Restaurant and Cafe

Aswan, Egypt

miles away

Monastery of St. Simeon

Aswan, Egypt

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aswan

Aswan

Egypt

Places 4

Related Places

  • The hypocenter and surrounding devastation immediately after the detonation of the bomb

    Hiroshima, Japan

    Hiroshima's Hypocenter

    A plaque marks the site directly below the mid-air detonation of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

  • The new bridge and the trench

    Aybak, Afghanistan

    Stupa of Takht-e Rostam

    Highly unusual subterranean stupa and adjacent cave monastery.

  • Citadelle Laferrière

    Haiti

    Citadelle Laferrière

    This iconic fortress was once the crown jewel of Haiti's national defense.

  • Marchand Dessalines, Haiti

    The Forts of Dessalines

    An entire town in Haiti memorializes one man and his historic revolution.

  • View from below.

    Urubamba, Peru

    Machu Colca

    This archaeological site features an early version of today’s refrigerators.

  • Hegra, Saudi Arabia

    Jabal Ithlib

    Carved into a towering rock mountain in Al Ula, this once served as a religious and political center in Hegra.

  • Our Lady of Hope at Ramla Beach

    Gozo, Malta

    Our Lady of Hope

    One of Malta’s most popular beaches features a seemingly out-of-place statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.

  • Globe, Arizona

    Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum

    The remains of a large pueblo village constructed by the Salado culture, who occupied the region more than 600 years ago.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.