The Lateran Obelisk

The largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world, it was originally from the temple of Amun in Karnak, Egypt. In 357 AD it was erected in the Circus Maximus, and after the fall of the Roman Empire was lost under the mud and detritus carried by a small stream. It was rediscovered in 1587, dug up and erected outside the church of San Giovanni in Laterano where it has remained since.