Elephant and Minerva Obelisk

About

The Elephant and Minerva Obelisk is a striking oval monument that crowns Rome’s Piazza della Minerva, a short walk from the historic Santa Maria sopra Minerva church. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1667, the statue depicts a marble elephant carrying an ancient Egyptian obelisk—originally erected by Pharaoh Apries of the Twenty‑sixth Dynasty in about 580 BC and rediscovered in 1665 during archaeological work in Rome. Standing beside the obelisk, the fully polished marble elephant rises 12.69 metres tall, making the monument a layered testament to Roman artistic ambition, Egyptian heritage, and Bernini’s mastery of sculptural narrative. Visitors can stroll around the piazza, marvel at the contrast between the sleek stone elephant and the rugged granite obelisk, and appreciate its intimate proximity to the basilica and the bustling Roman market that surrounds it—an ideal stop for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and those interested in the city’s Baroque iconography.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes