Here we are in front of one of the surprises of Rome, a city that is able to astonish with very particular monuments. In this case let me talk about the so called Pulcino della Minerva, that is simply the nickname of one of the most curious works of art of the Eternal City! A marble elephant topped by an obelisk which stands in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and the historical headquarters of the Roman Inquisition, where several and fundamental trials took place (click here to read abut that). So what is the origin and the evolution of this interesting monument?

Officialy it seems that Bernini, he was the author of this strange work of art, was inspired by a famous book of his age, the so called Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. It was written by Francesco Colonna and the first edition was published for the first time by the editor Aldo Manuzio at the 1499. In this romance the man character, named Polifilo, meets an elephant topped by an obelisk. Even the famous Pope Alexander VII, the pope who commissioned to Bernini the Pulcino della Minerva, had a copy of this book. A volume so famous that Bernini was inspired by it for this work of art. Don't forget that the book would like to symbolize how the knowledge and the wisdom, which were the polar stars of the inquisitors, coould be reached, the same values that the supreme judges should have during their trials. But is seems that Bernini, to create the Pulcino della Minerva, was inspired by a personal misadventure too!

We are at the 60's of the XVII century when Bernini was invited, directly by the famous French King Louis XIV, in Paris. Bernini was a great and famous master, a sort of archistar, a man who everybody would like to see. A real VIP! So when he came in France it seems that Bernini was always surrounded by a crowd, a lot of people who would to touch him, to talk to him, to see him, to shake his hands. He tried to be kind and polite, but at a certain moment it seems that he exclaimed "Ehi what am I? An elephant?". According to the chronicles this trip in France was very good but maybe Bernini remembered this hard moment, so much that he was inspired by that. What is sure is that the Pulcino della Minerva, with its incredible shapes and balance, was also criticized during the site construction. Several people didn't believe that this work of art could stand there, without any problems. So some modifications were added, but at the end still today, after centuries, this gorgeous masterpiece is here, at this small square very close to the Pantheon. Another reason why Rome is so special.