The obelisk originates from the Temple of Atum in the ancient city of Heliopolis, which was located here. (Cleopatra’s Needle in London and the obelisk in New York’s Central Park came from the same temple.) The obelisk dates back to approximately 1900 BC, providing a reminder of Heliopolis’ past, as it sits in Midan al-Misallah in the midst of the modern city.