Cleopatra’s Needle is a large obelisk situated in the middle section of Central park, New York City. Not far from this place is the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cleopatra’s Needle is a real ancient Egyptian obelisk more than three thousand years old.
There are only three obelisks of this kind – one in Central park New York City, one in London and one in Paris. They have been moved during the 19th century. That unique highlight can be seen on both of our Central park bike tour and big pedicab tour.
Cleopatra’s obelisk is made of red granite standing 68 feet above the ground. It is covered with original Egyptian hieroglyphs commemorating Ramesses’ military victories around 1200 BC. It actually has no connection with Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Its place in Central park is well chosen to be next to the Metropolitan Museum of Art – a place containing world famous pieces of art and culture.
Cleopatra’s Needle in Central park was erected on 22 February 1881. The 224-ton monument was delivered by a US navy ship. It took 32 horses hitched in pairs to bring it from the Hudson River to its original location in Central park. A large wooden bridge was built in order to connect Fifth Avenue to Cleopatra Needle’s original location.
On 2 October 1880 a large Masonic ceremony took place in midtown Manhattan in order to celebrate this memorable occasion. Over nine thousand masons paraded up Fifth Avenue from 14th St to 82nd St. Jesse B. Anthony, the New York’s grand master of Masons presided the ceremony of delivering this precious piece of art.
A special stop during our bicycle and pedicab tours is reserved for this gorgeous highlight.