It is quite difficult to surprise modern travelers with giant elephant sculptures. They can be seen everywhere: in Thailand and Singapore, China and India. But every tourist in Denmark always wonders why there are four elephants in the heart of the Danish capital, at the entrance to the legendary Copenhagen brewing company Carlsberg.

The history of these unusual sculptures began with the journey of the son of the brewery's founder, Carl Jacobsen, across fabulous Southern Italy. Installed on Piazza della Minerva in Rome, the obelisk with elephants made an unforgettable impression on the young traveler. Many years later, Carl asked the famous Danish architect Vilhelm Dahlerup to erect the central gate with a stone tower at the entrance to the brewery. And then Carl Jacobsen thought back to the giant elephants and decided that it could be a very good idea to put the tower on the sculptures.

The elephant figure has always represented strength and wisdom that corresponds to the main motto of the Carlsberg company: "Laboremus pro patria". Translated from Latin, the motto means "Let us work for our country". This motto also envelops the modern museum, open inside the former factory, the entrance to which is decorated with huge elephants.

Dahlerup's ambitious project was completed in 1901. The red-brick tower of more than 110 square meters was crowned with a copper dome, and the entire unique structure was placed on the backs of huge elephants. The elephant sculptures were made from granite brought from the island of Bornholm. Interestingly, the sculptor Nilaus Fristrup never saw a real elephant. This is why the statues look like neither Indian nor African elephants but rather like characters from children's fairy tales.

The majestic stone elephants have become an essential symbol of the Carlsberg company. The unchanging motto in Latin that can still be seen on the gate continues to inspire everyone who works for the old brewing company.