Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Rome

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Just before we reach the Pantheon we came across the piazza della Minerva(pic 1). At the centre of the square is a sculpture of an elephant! The marble monument was erected in 1667 by the artist Gianlorenzo Bernini(1598-1680) and has an obelisk(from 6th century BC) atop it!! There’s inscription is about the great strength is required to bear wisdom.

There are some nice buildings but the one we checked was the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva (pic 2). It’s minor three-aisled basilica belongs to the Dominican order and it was built on the site that once was the temple of Minerva. Although the construction begun in 1280 it was completed in 1453. The church is the only gothic church in Rome although different styles added after the numerous renovations through the centuries (the facafe was in typical baroque style at the beginning).

When we got inside(pics 3-4) we noticed the gothic arches and then we checked the side chapels, some of them have some interesting frescos from 15th century but also Michelangelo’s marble statue of the Risen Christ. I forgot to take a picture of it because there were other visitors in front of us so when I remembered about it we were already away!)

The church is open daily 8.00-19.00

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Boasting works by Michelangelo, Bernini and Filippino Lippi, this church is one of the few gothic-themed in Rome. It is the turf of the Dominicans famous (or infamous?) for their inquisitions and the trial of Galileo.

Even if you are not a big fan of the Dominicans (their infamy during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines makes for interesting read, to put it lightly), their Santa Maria sopra Minerva will awe you with their artistic collection including a sculpture of the Risen Christ by Michelangelo (picture 3), Filippino Lippi's frescoes, and the very interesting sculpture of an obelisk-carrying elephant by Bernini at the church's piazza (picture 4). On top of these, the church contains the tombs of popular Italian saints Santa Cecilia of Siena and Fra Angelico.

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“A strong mind is needed to support a solid knowledge.”
— Pope Alexander VII (1599-1667) his allegorical phrase on one side of the base of the Chick of Minerva

AN ELEPHANT NEVER FORGETS Here’s what this one remembers. It was the idea of that brilliant Baroque sculpture, designer, and architect Gianlorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) to decorate the Piazza della Minerva with his sculpture, affectionately known to Romans as the Chick of Minerva, Pulcino della Minerva.

The design is by Bernini; but it was carved by his student Ercole Ferrata in 1667. Bernini dedicated it to his patron, Pope Alexander VII, who wrote, in the inscription at the base, that the elephant symbolizes the vast store of knowledge needed for wisdom.

The obelisk that the pachyderm carries on his back dates from the sixth century BC; it is the smallest that the Ancient Romans brought back from Egypt. Like the one in the nearby Piazza della Rotondo it came from the Temple of Isis.

This sculpture is a favorite piece of art of ours. He’s so cute!

The Piazza della Minerva is around the corner from the Pantheon and it can be seen in the background of photo #3. This small square sits in front of the Dominican church, Santa Maria sopra Minerva.

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This was our favorite church in Rome, my wife in particular was taken by this church. This is the only gothic church built in Rome. The bright blue, pointed ceiling was stunning. My picture below does not do it justice.

The body of Catherine of Siena lies under the beautiful alter.

A statue of Jesus bearing the cross (picture below) is also very striking.

There are numerous other alters along the sides of the church, all very beautiful, which you can light up with a coin or light an offering candle.

We also liked the Nativity Scene.

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Another church. And yet another St. Mary's. Gosh, there are a lot of churches in Rome....

This one was built on top of the ruins of a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva (thus the funny name) and is the only Gothic-style church in Rome. The current basilica dates from 13th/14th centuries, has wonderful interior vaulting of sky blue with gold stars and excellent frescoes by Filippino Lippi. Interred here are St. Catherine of Siena (minus her head, which is in - you guessed it - Siena), Popes Paul IV, Leo X and Clement VII, and famous Renaissance painter, Fra Angelico. Here also are Michelangelo's sculpture of Christ the Redeemer (with the later addition of some drapery to cover the naughty bits), the Bernini-designed tomb of Cardinal Pimentel and a plethora of other interesting works of art.

Out in the piazza is the Pulcino della Minerva - a fat little elephant with an obelisk on his back. The obelisk was one of a pair brought from Egypt and was discovered in the ruin of an ancient temple of Isis near the basilica. The younger Bernini designed the sculpture for Pope Alexander VII and it carries this inscription:

"He who sees the carved images of the wisdom of Egypt on the obelisk carried by the elephant, the strongest of animals, will realize that it is indeed a robust mind which sustains a solid wisdom."

Pulcino della Minerva translates to "Minerva's Chick". It had been nicknamed "Porcino della Minerva" (Minerva's Piggy) by amused locals and confusion around the similar pronunciation of pig and chicken may have run afowl (ha!). It may also be a nod to the diminutive size of the obelisk as it's the shortest of the 11 imported from Egypt.

The basilica is open 7:00 - 7:00 Mon - Sat, and 8:00 - 7:00 Sundays. Free.

PS - Can anyone identify the relic in altar of the Pius V Chapel (5th pix)? I've no idea what it is and can't find anything on it.

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The facade of this church is simple, the inside of this church is the only Gothic style.
This is only one in Rome.
Many works of art are collected, so that it can be called a small art museum.
In pictures, "Saint Thomas Akutinasu", "Christ" ,"Saint's mother and child "
In sculptures, "Christ " by Michelangero.
In the churches of Rome, it is decorated with Stainedglasses.
So it is unusual and is beautiful.

Chiostro is on the left of the front of a church.
Here, the famous trial of Galileo Galilei's Corpenican theory performed in the 17th century.
there is a heresy referee place.

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One of my favorite things when in Rome is going into all the churches. It seems that the plainer the facade, the more amazing the interior. The church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is a beautiful church with lots of stained glass and side chapels and mosaics. It is just behind the pantheon behind the elephant obelisk. It is the only gothic church in Rome. When you enter you will see the cobalt blue, starry ceiling. It is incredible. Make sure you take the time to look at all the stained glass windows this small church has to offer. Take some small change with you to turn on the lights in the side chapels. Take a look at the wonderful floor. Imagine how many people over the centuries have walked on this floor. The alter is beautiful and you can go up to it for a closer look. The body (excluding the head) of Saint Catherine lies under the alter. To the left of the alter is a statue of christ bearing the cross by Michealangelo. It didn't originally have the girdle, that was added years later.

This is a wonderful church and should not be missed when you visit the Pantheon

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Located behind il Panteone, Piazza della Minerva is a small square adorned with an Ancient Egyptian obelisk. This obelisk was found in the garden of the monastery of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and Bernini was subsequently given the task of mounting it in the middle of the Piazza. Bernini chose to create a humourous sculpture of an elephant with the obelisk mounted on its back, making this obelisk particularly interesting. Behind the obelisk in the attached picture is the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva which, though plain on the outside, happens to have one of the few - and very colourful - Gothic interiors in Rome. It was built in the 13th century over the ruins of the Roman Temple of Minerva. See attached photos.