---
product_id: 227892195
title: "An Elephant in Rome: Bernini, The Pope and The Making of the Eternal City"
price: "R1565"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/227892195-an-elephant-in-rome-bernini-the-pope-and-the-making
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# Unveils Pope Alexander VII's vision Deep dive into Baroque Rome Explores Bernini's artistic genius An Elephant in Rome: Bernini, The Pope and The Making of the Eternal City

**Price:** R1565
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🏛️ Unlock the secrets behind Rome’s rebirth—where art meets power and history comes alive!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** An Elephant in Rome: Bernini, The Pope and The Making of the Eternal City
- **How much does it cost?** R1565 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/227892195-an-elephant-in-rome-bernini-the-pope-and-the-making)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Iconic Artistic Duo:** Follow Bernini and Pope Alexander VII’s legendary collaboration that redefined Rome’s grandeur.
- • **Masterclass in Soft Power:** Discover how art and politics fused to reshape a city and an era.
- • **Baroque Brilliance in Focus:** Immerse yourself in the era that outshone even the days of Emperor Augustus.
- • **Cultural Renaissance Unveiled:** Experience the revival of Rome as Europe’s intellectual and cultural epicenter.
- • **A Must-Read for Art & History Buffs:** Join the elite circle appreciating the pinnacle of European art and religious history.

## Overview

An Elephant in Rome chronicles the transformative partnership between Pope Alexander VII and Gianlorenzo Bernini, revealing how their visionary collaboration restored Rome’s status as the cultural and spiritual capital of Europe through Baroque artistry and strategic soft power.

## Description

'A total delight' - Simon Jenkins. By 1650, the spiritual and political power of the Catholic Church was shattered. Thanks to the twin blows of the Protestant Reformation and the Thirty Years War, Rome, celebrated both as the Eternal City and Caput Mundi (the head of the world) had lost its pre-eminent place in Europe. Then a new Pope, Alexander VII, fired with religious zeal, political guile and a mania for building, determined to restore the prestige of his church by making Rome the must-visit destination for Europe's intellectual, political and cultural elite. To help him do so, he enlisted the talents of Gianlorenzo Bernini, already celebrated as the most important living artist: no mean feat in the age of Rubens, Rembrandt and Velazquez. Together, Alexander VII and Bernini made the greatest artistic double act in history, inventing the concept of soft power and the bucket list destination. Bernini and Alexander's creation of Baroque Rome as a city more beautiful and grander than since the days of the Emperor Augustus continues to delight and attract.

## Features

- An Elephant in Rome: Bernini, The Pope and The Making of the Eternal City
- ABIS BOOK
- Pallas Athene

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,051,029 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #394 in Sculpture Appreciation #909 in Christian Popes #1,064 in European Art History |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 57 Reviews |

## Images

![An Elephant in Rome: Bernini, The Pope and The Making of the Eternal City - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91P1TwyGXLL.jpg)

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-07-17*