Minerva Square

Piazza della Minerva, located in the heart of Rome near the Pantheon, is a place rich in history and charm. It takes its name from the Temple of Minerva Calcidica, built in Roman times by Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus. Today, the focal point of the square is represented by the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, the only Gothic church in Rome, built on the ruins of the pagan temple. The basilica, dating back to the 8th century, became the seat of the Dominicans between 1266 and 1275. This religious order transformed the site into a center of spirituality and knowledge. The church houses numerous works of art, including the famous “Christ the Redeemer” by Michelangelo, a sculpture of the Risen Christ located near the main altar.One of the most iconic elements of the square is the Obelisk of Minerva, erected in 1667 on a base sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. This obelisk, coming from the Iseo Campense, is supported by a marble elephant affectionately known as the “Minerva Chick.” The choice of the elephant as a support for the obelisk is symbolic: it represents strength combined with wisdom.The square is surrounded by historically significant buildings. The Grand Hotel de la Minerve, overlooking the square, is an eighteenth-century palace that has hosted illustrious figures such as Stendhal and José de San Martín. The hotel owes its name to the nearby church and the Temple of Minerva.Another notable building is the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, located in front of the basilica. This sixteenth-century palace, rebuilt in 1878, is the diplomatic school of the Holy See, where future papal envoys are trained. The presence of this institution gives the square an aura of prestige and centrality in the Catholic world.The Dominican convent, once extending to Via del Seminario and San Macuto, is now largely occupied by the Library of the Senate of the Republic, dedicated to Giovanni Spadolini. This complex was the center of the Roman Inquisition in the 17th century and was the site of the famous trial of Galileo Galilei in 1633.The square is also known for the commemorative plaques adorning its buildings. These plaques, marking the floods of the Tiber between 1422 and 1598, are historical testimonies of the difficulties faced by the inhabitants of this area, one of the lowest in Rome, frequently subject to flooding.