Place de l’Obélisque

When it comes to monuments, obelisks sure are a popular choice. The Vatican has one in the heart of St Peter’s Square. Paris has one in the Place de la Concorde. Washington, DC has the world’s largest at 169 metres (554 feet) tall in the middle of its National Mall. So, when looking to commemorate its independence, Senegal knew just where to turn. Located at the aptly named Place de l’Obélisque – an open area that frequently hosts events, demonstrations and even large-scale screenings of national events – the Obelisk is inscribed with the Roman Numerals MCMLX (1960 – the year of independence from France) on its principal side, with the other three spelling out Senegal’s national motto: “Un peuple, un but, une foi” (one people, one goal, one faith).