Rome's most endearing monument

In Piazza della Minerva, just steps from the Pantheon, stands one of Rome's most beloved and photographed monuments: a small marble elephant carrying an Egyptian obelisk on its back. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and completed in 1667, it blends Baroque elegance, the exotic charm of the elephant, and the mystery of ancient Egypt with wit and grace. It's impossible not to smile in front of it.

Why it's called the "Pulcino della Minerva"

Its popular nickname is a curious one: "Pulcino della Minerva" (the little chick of Minerva). The origin isn't entirely certain, but it likely comes from a corruption of "porcino" (a nod to the elephant's stocky shape) or from the name of the sculptor who carved it to Bernini's design. Over time, Romans affectionately rebranded it this way, and the name stuck.

The Egyptian obelisk

The obelisk the elephant carries is a genuine Egyptian obelisk, small in scale, dating back to the age of the pharaohs and unearthed nearby (on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Isis). Bernini had it placed on the elephant's back with a precise idea in mind: the animal, a symbol of strength and intelligence, bears the ancient wisdom embodied by the obelisk. An inscription on the base spells it out: a robust mind is needed to sustain solid wisdom.

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The legend of the elephant's "gesture"

A detail much loved by Romans concerns the elephant's stance: its rear end faces a nearby convent. Legend has it that Bernini, feuding with the friars who had criticized his design, deliberately turned the animal this way out of spite, its tail flicked to one side in a rather eloquent gesture. It's almost certainly an anecdote, but it's part of the monument's popular charm.

Where it is and how to see it

The Elefantino (the little elephant) stands outdoors in Piazza della Minerva, in front of the Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva, a short walk from the Pantheon. It's free to see at any hour, including in the evening when it's lit up. While you're there, step inside the basilica behind it too: see our guide to Santa Maria sopra Minerva.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Elefantino? Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who conceived the design; the monument was completed in 1667 and placed in Piazza della Minerva.

Why is it called the "Pulcino della Minerva"? It's a popular Roman nickname: it's thought to come from a corruption of "porcino" (after its stocky shape) or from the name of the craftsman who carved it. The affectionate name has endured over time.

Is the obelisk genuine? Yes: it's a small, original Egyptian obelisk from the age of the pharaohs, unearthed in the area where an ancient temple of Isis once stood.

What does the elephant with the obelisk mean? The elephant, a symbol of strength and intelligence, bears the ancient wisdom embodied by the obelisk: a robust mind is needed to sustain solid wisdom, as the inscription explains.

Can you see it for free? Yes: the Elefantino stands outdoors in Piazza della Minerva and is free to see at any hour, including in the evening when it's illuminated.

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Article #351 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026