Temple Obelisk

Category: Civil Architecture > Monument

District: Lisboa > Oeiras > Tapada do Mocho > Casalinho Morais

Location

The Temple Obelisk is located in the locality of Tapada do Mocho, more specifically in the Casalinho Morais area, integrated into the vast Poets' Park, in Oeiras. Positioned in an area of great scenic and urban value, the monument is set within a green space that provides a tranquil environment for walks and outdoor leisure moments.

A Symbol and Tribute

This monument was conceived as a tribute to all those who envisioned and brought the Poets' Park to fruition. It pays particular homage to the poets, sculptors, patrons, builders, and manufacturers who, with their commitment, brought this grand project to life. The obelisk functions as a symbolic reference point, inextricably linked to the identity of Oeiras, its population, and its history.

Artistic Conception and Symbolic Elements

Authored by sculptor Júlio Quaresma, the Temple Obelisk incorporates various elements with strong meaning. Its imposing height of 1759 centimeters is not arbitrary; it evokes the year 1759, the date Oeiras was constituted as a municipality by royal charter. Similarly, its base, with 1759 millimeters and five steps, symbolizes the five parishes that currently make up the municipality.

Built of granite, the monument represents strength, resilience, and durability, aspects that mirror the municipality's own vitality. The colors present in the stone, with a highlight on red, symbolize passion, energy, and the sociocultural diversity of the community. At dusk, a light projected from the structure points towards the sky, functioning as a symbolic beacon for the future.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt