The Amphitheater was designed by the father-and-son team of Giulio and Alfonso Parigi, who also carried out the "Viottolone" cypress alley as well as the Isolotto. The egyptian Obelisk has a fascinating history. It was originally erected in Heliopolis by Ramses II, who reigned from 1279 to 1212 BC. At some point it was transported to Rome and erected at the Temple of Isis. Sometime prior to the 17th century it was unearthed and moved to the Medici Villa in Rome. The Medici moved it to the Amphitheater in 1790. The obelisk is one of a pair - the other stands in the South Garden of Viale delle Terme di Docleziano, in Rome. Behind the obelisk is a granite tub designed by Pasquale Poccianti and placed in 1840.