Overview:

Elephant and Obelisk In Italy is a combination of two separate Italian monuments – the “Elefante Bianco”, a white marble elephant, and the “Obelisco del Cantone”, an obelisk. The two sculptures were built in 1818 and 1822, respectively, by Pietro Tenerani, an Italian sculptor. They are located in front of each other in the northern part of the Piazza della Repubblica in Rome, Italy. The white marble elephant was commissioned by Pope Pius VII as a memorial to the Battle of San Giuliano, which took place in 1798. It is modeled after the imperial elephant of the French emperor Napoleon. The Obelisk of Cantone was installed in 1822 and is decorated with bronze bas-reliefs of the goddess Isis and heroes from Roman history. The monument is an example of neoclassicism, with references to ancient Egypt and the Baroque period. It has been described as "one of the most elegant obelisks in the city". It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Italy
Prominent Features:

The most famous example of an elephant and obelisk in Italy is the Elephant and Obelisk in the Piazza della Minerva, Rome. This impressive bronze sculpture dates back to the ancient Roman era. The obelisk was most likely originally part of a monument to the Egyptian goddess Isis, while the elephant was added in the 16th century by the architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The statue has become a popular symbol of Rome with its unusual combination of an elephant and an obelisk, and it is a popular destination for tourists visiting the city. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Italy.

History:

The use of elephants and obelisks in Italy goes back to the Roman Empire, when they were used to commemorate victories and other special occasions. Elephants were kept in the Roman Forum, while obelisks were placed in large plazas and public places across the city. In addition, both animals and obelisks were often used in Roman triumphal processions. In Florence the first obelisk made its appearance in 1571, in the Piazza della Signoria. This was a gift from Sultan Selim II of the Ottoman Empire to the Grand Duke Francesco de Medici. The obelisk completed the piazza, which was dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi. Another famous Italian obelisk is the Elephant and Obelisk in the Piazza della Minerva in Rome, considered to be the Rome's most famous. This obelisk was constructed in 1782 and it portrays a bronze elephant bearing an ancient Egyptian obelisk. It was built by Pope Clement XIV to honor an alleged Egyptian origin of the Elephant fountain located in the Piazza della Minerva. The most famous elephant in Rome is that which stands in the center of Piazza Navona. This monumental bronze elephant sculpture was originally placed in the center of the Piazza Navona in 1667 by Pope Clement IX. It is popularly known as the 'Elephant and Obelisk' or 'Bernini's Elephant' after its designer, the legendary Roman artist and architect, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The presence of elephants and obelisks in Italian cities is a tribute to their cities' histories and cultures, and helps to add visual interest and beauty to their public squares and other areas. They are a reminder of Italy's past and add to the magnificent beauty of its cities. Visit one of the famous monuments of Italy with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Elephants have been used as symbols in Italy since ancient Rome, where they were used as monuments and to symbolize strength, honor, and power. In the 18th century, elephants with obelisks on their backs became popular elements of gardens in Italy. 2. One of the most famous of these monuments is found in Rome at the Piazza della Rotonda. A massive 25-foot-tall elephant statue supports an Egyptian-style obelisk in its tusks. The sculpture dates back to 1733. 3. There are several other examples of these elephant and obelisk monuments throughout Italy. The sculpture in Siena's Piazza del Campo features a craning elephant with an obelisk between its tusks. An intricately carved wooden elephant monument stands in Palermo, with a small obelisk perched atop its back. 4. One of the most impressive of these monuments can be found in Milan's Piazza Affari. Here stands an impressive white marble sculpture, featuring an elephant, a castle, and an obelisk. The monument was erected in 1883 to honor the unification of Italy. 5. Elephants have also been used as symbols of other icons in Italian history. In Florence, the massive column of Piazza della Repubblica stands atop a sculpture of an elephant carrying an ancient Roman wheel, representing the strength of the city. One of the historical monuments of Italy, it tells the story of a bygone era