Piazza della Minerva
Plaza Roman piazza with Bernini elephant and Santa Maria
A small square steps from the Pantheon, Piazza della Minerva contains Bernini’s elephant statue and the Gothic basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Tourists visit churches, sculptures and nearby Roman remains.
Piazza della Minerva is a compact square in central Rome located adjacent to the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. It is best known for the distinctive elephant-and-obelisk sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The square’s focal point is a small ancient obelisk mounted on an elephant sculpture designed by Bernini, which stands in front of the church. Narrow streets and historic buildings tightly enclose the piazza, creating an intimate urban space near major attractions.
The church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva occupies the site of an ancient temple to the Roman goddess Minerva and was rebuilt in Gothic style from the 13th century onward. The Bernini elephant and obelisk were installed in the late 17th century as a sculptural emblem for the site.
Piazza della Minerva is in Rome’s historic centre, a short walk southeast of the Pantheon and within the rione that contains many ancient and Renaissance landmarks.
- Visiting tip: The piazza is tiny and best appreciated on foot; combine a visit with the nearby Pantheon and the surrounding historic streets.
What to See #
- Santa Maria sopra Minerva church: A small Baroque-Gothic church facing the piazza; its façade and interior contain tombs and artworks dating to the medieval and Renaissance periods.
- Elephant and obelisk by Bernini: Bernini's stone elephant supporting an ancient obelisk, positioned in the piazza as a 17th-century sculptural centerpiece.
How to Get to Piazza della Minerva #
Piazza della Minerva is immediately adjacent to the Pantheon in Rome’s historic centre (you’ll find Santa Maria sopra Minerva on the square). It is effectively a doorstep destination if you are visiting the Pantheon-only a minute or two on foot.
From Roma Termini the square is about a 15-20 minute walk or a short bus/taxi ride into the historic core.
Tips for Visiting Piazza della Minerva #
- Visit Piazza della Minerva early in the morning or later in the evening to see Bernini's elephant obelisk and the church façade with far fewer tourists than the nearby Pantheon area.
- Go inside Santa Maria sopra Minerva to see important artworks (including Michelangelo's Risen Christ) rather than just admiring the exterior; the church is one of Rome's major Gothic interiors and is quieter than the Pantheon.
- Take a moment to photograph the unusual Bernini elephant supporting the obelisk - it's small and easy to miss amid the surrounding streets, but it's the square's defining ornament.
Best Time to Visit Piazza della Minerva #
Best in spring or autumn, or early morning in summer, to avoid crowds around Piazza della Minerva and nearby attractions.
Weather & Climate near Piazza della Minerva #
Piazza della Minerva's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (708 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 15 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 96 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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