Elephant Statue in Rome’s Piazza della Minerva Vandalized Again
Rome, February 17 – The iconic elephant statue in Piazza della Minerva, a masterpiece by Gian Lorenzo Bernini located near the Pantheon, has been vandalized for the second time in less than a decade. Its left tusk was cleanly broken off in an incident believed to have occurred on Monday.
Investigation Underway as Authorities Seek Suspects
Local police from the I Gruppo Centro are actively searching for those responsible for the damage. Investigators are analyzing footage from security cameras in the area, hoping to identify the perpetrators. While no definitive cause has been established, one theory suggests that tourists may have climbed onto the delicate sculpture, causing the tusk to break under their weight. Fortunately, the broken piece was recovered, preventing its theft.
Urgent Assessment and Restoration Efforts
On Tuesday afternoon, municipal police, accompanied by experts from the Capitoline Superintendency, conducted an inspection of the statue to assess the damage and initiate immediate restoration procedures. The Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, condemned the act, stating, “It is unacceptable that once again the artistic and cultural heritage of the Nation should suffer such serious damage. With the Special Superintendency of Rome, we will contribute to the Capitoline Superintendency for the restoration of the sculpture: one of the most significant symbols of the Capital, struck by an absurd act of barbarism.”
A History of Vandalism: The 2016 Incident
This is not the first time the elephant statue has been targeted. In 2016, the same artwork, sculpted by Ercole Ferrata in 1667 based on Bernini’s design, was damaged. That incident sparked controversy due to a lack of adequate video surveillance, which hindered the immediate identification of the vandals. Following the 2016 event, which occurred in November, then-Mayor Virginia Raggi emphasized the city’s commitment to protecting its heritage. “The image of these hours of the defaced Elephant statue by Gian Lorenzo Bernini hurts all Romans. For us, the protection of the city’s heritage is vital,” Raggi stated at the time. This previous incident led to a review and partial upgrade of the video protection system for monuments in the historic center. Similar to the current situation, one hypothesis in 2016 was that someone had climbed the elephant for a souvenir photo or a selfie. However, in that instance, only a fragment of the broken piece was recovered by the police, as the main part was stolen.
Protecting Rome’s Cultural Heritage
The repeated vandalism of such a significant monument highlights the ongoing challenge of protecting Rome’s vast cultural heritage. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of public awareness and vigilance in safeguarding these invaluable artworks for future generations. The prompt recovery of the broken tusk in this latest incident offers hope for a successful restoration, allowing the iconic elephant to once again stand proudly in Piazza della Minerva.
