The 1,700-year old Obelisk of Axum has finally returned home from Italy after years of controversy and setbacks.

The Obelisk, considered a holy monument by the people of Ethiopia, was originally stolen by Italian troops during the Fascist invasion of Ethiopia in 1937 and was set up in Rome outside the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

Italy had pledged to return it some years back, but the fragility of the monument and difficulties of transportation held up proceedings.

The Obelisk has now been set up on its original site in the ancient dead city of Axum  a World Heritage Site dating back to the times of the Queen of Sheba.