description Minerva Obelisk Overview
The Minerva Obelisk is a small ancient Egyptian obelisk in Piazza della Minerva beside the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. The red-granite monument was brought to Rome in antiquity and was later mounted on a marble elephant designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The elephant base was installed in 1667, creating the combination for which the monument is known and placing an Egyptian pharaonic symbol within a Baroque Roman setting.
help Minerva Obelisk FAQ
Where is the Minerva Obelisk located?
It stands in Piazza della Minerva beside Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. The monument combines an ancient Egyptian red-granite obelisk with a later sculptural base.
Who designed the elephant supporting the Minerva Obelisk?
The marble elephant was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It was created in the seventeenth century to support the small ancient obelisk.
Is the Minerva Obelisk Egyptian or Roman?
The obelisk itself is ancient Egyptian and was brought to Rome in antiquity. The elephant base is a later Roman Baroque addition associated with Bernini.
Why is an elephant used as the base?
The elephant provides a symbolic and practical support for the small obelisk. Bernini's design turned an ancient Egyptian monument into a distinctive seventeenth-century landmark in Piazza della Minerva.
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