Luxor Obelisk and Its Voyage to Paris

In the early 19th century, Apollinaire Lebas, a young engineer, transported the Luxor obelisk from Egypt to Paris, overcoming numerous obstacles and receiving a medal from his king for his achievement. This first-ever translation of Lebas' account makes his remarkable story available to a wider audience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2021
Publisher: American University in Cairo Press

Transporting the Luxor obelisk from Egypt to Paris in the early 19th century was a remarkable engineering feat that marked a significant milestone in history. No obelisk of this size, weighing two hundred and fifty tons, had left Egypt in nearly two thousand years. The task of bringing this colossal structure to Paris fell upon a young engineer named Apollinaire Lebas, a man of extraordinary determination and skill. His journey was filled with adventure, excitement, and drama, yet it remains largely unknown to the English-speaking world.

Lebas and his team encountered numerous challenges throughout their expedition. They were struck by the plague, running out of wood, and having to wait four months for the Nile to rise to free their beached ship. Despite these obstacles, Lebas remained steadfast in his resolve to transport the obelisk to Paris.

On October 25, 1836, before a cheering crowd of two hundred thousand Parisians, Lebas raised his obelisk. His remarkable achievement was rewarded with a medal bearing his name and a place in the prestigious Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, where many other French luminaries are buried.

This first-ever translation of Lebas's account, including digitally enhanced copies of his beautiful drawings, makes his remarkable story accessible to a broader audience. It sheds light on the ingenuity and perseverance of Lebas and his team, showcasing the extraordinary lengths they went to in order to bring this ancient marvel to the heart of Europe. The Luxor obelisk remains a symbol of the power and beauty of ancient Egypt, and Lebas's story serves as a reminder of the incredible achievements that can be made when individuals are driven by passion and determination.

Weight: 910g
Dimension: 225 x 253 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781617979958