Hyde Park Obelisk
Hyde Park Obelisk is an obelisk located in Hyde Park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It sits at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Bathurst Street. Unveiled in 1857 by the then Lord Mayor, George Thornton, it served as a sewerage educt vent to allow the escape of noxious gases from the sewer (although it now ventilates the stormwater system, following works to separate Sydney's sewerage and stormwater systems).[1] The Hyde Park Obelisk was the first special sewer ventilation shaft built in Sydney and New South Wales, and is the only example of a sewer ventshaft constructed of sandstone within the Sydney Water system.[1] It was modeled on Cleopatra's Needle on the banks of London's River Thames. The overall structure is 22 metres high, which comprises a square sandstone base 6.5 metres high. The vent at the top is a filigreed bronze pyramid.[2]
On 7 November 2014, the Hyde Park Obelisk was covered with a giant pink condom as a temporary installation to raise awareness about HIV, primarily in Sydney's homosexual community.[3][4]
It is also jokingly referred to as Thornton's Scent Bottle.[5]
Gallery
Side of the Obelisk facing Hyde Park - showing the maintenance access door, as well as the sphinxes and other decorative features
Temporary installation of a giant condom over the Obelisk in November 2014 to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS
References
- 1 2 "Heritage detail - Sewer Vent (The Obelisk)". Sydney Water. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ↑ Sydney A to Z - Hyde Park Obelisk, 8 November 2014.
- ↑ The Vine, A giant hot pink condom is currently covering Hyde Park's Obelisk, 7 November 2014.
- ↑ Yahoo!7 News, Giant condom in Sydney goes global, 7 November 2014.
- ↑ Home Page :: Sydney Media :: City of Sydney, The Sweet Smell Of Success - Hyde Park Obelisk Celebrates 150 Years, 19 February 2008.
External links
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Coordinates: 33°52′29″S 151°12′36″E / 33.874682°S 151.209946°E