https://www.lhoran.com/blog-1 daily 0.75 2026-06-28 https://www.lhoran.com/blog-1/the-obelisks-of-rome monthly 0.5 2026-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/a7c116a6-4747-4b39-8ef8-627b182acd41/54211041315_a4ffc53f6a_o.jpeg Blog - The Obelisks of Rome - The most famous is the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Obelisk. Unlike many others, it was never toppled after antiquity. It began life in Egypt, probably in Heliopolis, before being brought to Rome by the emperor Caligula in the first century CE to decorate his circus. It stood there quietly witnessing the ebbs and flows of the city, until Pope Sixtus V had it moved in 1586 to its current position in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. The relocation itself was a feat of Renaissance engineering and a not-so-subtle statement: the triumph of Christianity over pagan Rome, symbolized by literally repositioning an ancient monument. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/05fccdef-c369-4be2-869c-82249f325bdf/PB090248.JPG Blog - The Obelisks of Rome - Not far away, though far older in spirit, is the towering obelisk at the Lateran Obelisk, the tallest of them all. Originally commissioned by Pharaoh Thutmose III and completed by Thutmose IV, it was brought to Rome by Emperor Constantius II in the 4th century CE. Today it stands in front of Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, one of the four major papal basilicas and a worthwhile visit in and of itself. Its journey from ancient Egypt to imperial Rome to papal Rome reads like a condensed history of Mediterranean power shifts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/1f8808c9-9e9a-4e2e-8bb7-7be72df9f8eb/54451719987_3e40fbde34_o.jpeg Blog - The Obelisks of Rome - If you wander into the city center, you’ll encounter the elegant obelisk in Piazza Navona, part of Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers. This obelisk is Roman-made, not Egyptian, though it imitates Egyptian style closely enough to fool the casual observer. Commissioned under Emperor Domitian, it later was transformed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini into a dramatic centerpiece. It’s a good reminder that Rome didn’t just import Egyptian culture, it learned to reproduce and remix it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/61c41131-6612-45ad-9d3d-188ac2db2c3d/51885842744_318499d000_k.jpeg Blog - The Obelisks of Rome - A short walk away, in Piazza della Rotonda, stands a smaller obelisk in front of the Pantheon. This one dates back to the time of Ramses II and was likely part of a pair. Like many obelisks in Rome, it was rediscovered in fragments during the Renaissance and pieced back together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/03d87030-4b28-428f-b8f9-42e79118a2af/IMG_4611.jpeg Blog - The Obelisks of Rome - Then there’s the obelisk at Spanish Steps, officially the Sallustian Obelisk, perched above the famous staircase at Piazza di Spagna. This one is another Roman-era imitation, probably created for the Gardens of Sallust. It wasn’t moved to its current location until the 18th century, when it was used to crown the steps with a suitably dramatic flourish. By this point, obelisks had become part of Rome’s visual language. It was less about Egypt and more about the city’s own identity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/26aebd07-817e-4b7b-a39e-2064f022fafb/54452932475_309ce06eb4_o.jpeg Blog - The Obelisks of Rome - One of the most charming is the obelisk carried by an elephant in Piazza della Minerva. Designed by Bernini, the sculpture supports a small Egyptian obelisk originally from the Temple of Isis. It was brought to Rome by Domitian, and rediscovered in the 1600s near Santa Maria sopra Minerva. It then needed a suitably clever setting. Pope Alexander VII wanted more than a pedestal—he wanted a statement about divine wisdom. After rejecting safer options, he turned to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who proposed an elephant carrying the obelisk. The execution, predictably, involved some meddling. A Dominican supervisor insisted on adding a solid support block beneath the elephant, resulting in the slightly stout figure you see today—quickly nicknamed “Minerva’s pig” by locals. As for the elephant’s rear-facing stance toward the nearby convent? Tradition says Bernini positioned it that way on purpose. Whether true or not, it’s exactly the kind of story Rome likes to keep alive. https://www.lhoran.com/blog-1/the-emperor-who-never-visited-his-own-portrait monthly 0.5 2026-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/609b6862-c7bd-47ad-a38b-8e9d92d52a60/1E2A1919.jpeg Blog - The Emperor Who Never Visited His Own Portrait - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.lhoran.com/blog-1/late-antique-milan-an-under-considered-period monthly 0.5 2026-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/6f61da71-ba71-4950-8bd5-775f954c3bc0/IMG_7780.JPG Blog - Late Antique Milan: An Under Considered Period - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/d49c8c88-ef06-4a35-96ed-6fc3640f1c74/IMG_7719.JPG Blog - Late Antique Milan: An Under Considered Period https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/19135116-23f1-45fb-9a8e-04092b9f4c2b/Untitled.jpg Blog - Late Antique Milan: An Under Considered Period - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.lhoran.com/blog-1/the-best-gelato-in-rome-according-to-someone-who-made-it-a-research-project monthly 0.5 2026-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/5c4d6d9d-0dfb-4c45-a829-15ead4deb62e/IMG_0924.jpeg Blog - The Best Gelato in Rome - If I could only recommend one stop, it would be Manny's Gelateria near the Vatican. It's not even a proper storefront so much as an adorable little stand, which somehow makes discovering it even more satisfying. The gelato is incredibly creamy, tastes freshly made, and never feels overly sweet. Every flavor I've tried has been excellent, but the classics really shine here. It's the place I still think about long after leaving Rome. Via Andrea Doria, 1, 00192 Rome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/42d20f74-f4ec-4f48-b5f8-3742c14ae066/IMG_0989.jpeg Blog - The Best Gelato in Rome - Neve di Latte feels like one of those places you discover because a local quietly points you in the right direction. The ingredients are wonderfully natural, the seasonal flavors are inventive without becoming gimmicky, and they offer gluten-free cones—a welcome bonus for travelers with dietary restrictions. If you enjoy trying flavors you won't find at every corner gelateria, this is the place. Via Federico Cesi, 1, 00193 Rome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/8476270a-0f44-44cc-860f-f46b23712ea3/IMG_6214.jpeg Blog - The Best Gelato in Rome - With two locations near some of Rome's busiest sightseeing areas, Günther proves that convenience doesn't have to come at the expense of quality. It's one of the few places I'll happily recommend to first-time visitors because it's consistently excellent and easy to work into almost any sightseeing itinerary. When you're exhausted after a morning at the Forum or Pantheon, Günther rarely disappoints. Piazza di S. Eustachio, 47, 00186 Rome Via dei Pettinari, 43, 00186 Rome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/a2a774fa-1454-4fa1-9284-a0cd6eb5536c/IMG_6409.jpeg Blog - The Best Gelato in Rome - Purists may scoff because Venchi has become an international brand, but here's the thing: it's consistently delicious. Better yet, you'll find locations throughout Rome, across many Italian cities, and even in major train stations. Venchi is famous for its chocolate, and you absolutely should buy some while you're there. When ordering gelato, though, go all in. Get the chocolate-dipped cup, add the special crema (their lightly whipped fresh cream), and embrace a little extravagance. Sometimes vacation calories simply don't count. Everywhere https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/359d5c1c-9d0b-47d6-9af0-8a077862bd5b/IMG_6139.jpeg Blog - The Best Gelato in Rome - Located near the Jewish Quarter, Grezzo is my favorite recommendation for travelers with dietary restrictions. Everything is raw, vegan, and gluten-free, but don't mistake that for compromise. The flavors are genuinely excellent, proving that dietary accommodations don't have to mean settling for second best. Whether you have allergies or are simply curious, Grezzo is well worth seeking out. Via Urbana, 130, 00184 Rome Piazza Mattei, 14, 00186 Rome Piazza Euclide, 39, 00197 Rome https://www.lhoran.com/blog-1/Blog Post Title One-3zaa9-zlxng-67tfc-xw2el monthly 0.5 2026-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/0b8a2c87-fabe-498a-bbef-008989dfce2a/Saint-Pauls.jpg.webp Blog - Hidden Rome: The fabulous sights most people miss - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.lhoran.com/blog-1/blog-post-title-two-t5my5-k4xmd-67jzh-nnskf monthly 0.5 2026-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/0f75ee4a-54a4-4b7f-b15a-55bcf401a302/Geffin-.jpg.webp Blog - Are LACMA’s New David Geffen Galleries Worth Visiting? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.lhoran.com/home daily 1.0 2026-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/2abd038d-5e6c-4fa2-9c3c-03da8dd8560a/IMG_4789.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/f3621c1d-83c9-4806-941a-bc775f3d9b23/Gold+Aesthetic+Illustrated+Ancient+Greek+Pillar+Beauty+Salon+Logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/5e2c288b-c4ad-4b46-9894-699cfa848644/IMG_4621.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/27a18df8-17c7-497d-807f-0caabcf5c419/IMG_7927.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/9378f72c-d8b6-4c78-9ae1-b61bf303bf4e/IMG_4850.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/2d1d4a5d-0031-481d-8ce5-301d67ce4013/IMG_7751.JPG https://www.lhoran.com/about daily 0.75 2026-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/2e91f229-869a-4255-90a4-f9cf91ac130f/IMG_8831.JPG https://www.lhoran.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a3d40bc39b36d50b1f02b34/33254d69-7fce-4a38-9751-1902a9adf992/IMG_7956.JPG