BARBERINI DOMES
Located within the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo, the Barberini Domes are two extraordinary observation points that tell the fascinating story of the Church’s long-standing relationship with the study of the sky.
The visit offers the opportunity to discover not only the domes and the historic telescopes housed inside them, but also the museum section of the Vatican Observatory, where instruments, documents and other exhibits illustrate the development of astronomy and the scientific research carried out by the Observatory over the years.
Inside the domes, visitors can admire two important astronomical instruments: the Schmidt Telescope and the Carte du Ciel Telescope, precious testimonies to the evolution of astronomical research and scientific instrumentation.
The domes are still fully operational, capable of rotating and opening towards the sky, preserving the unique atmosphere of a place where astronomical research was actually carried out. Etering them means discovering first-hand how a historic observatory functioned and learning about the instruments used by generations of astronomers to observe and photograph the night sky.
The tour therefore offers the opportunity to discover a scientific heritage of great value, bringing together historic instruments and the exhibits preserved in museum section. It is a unique opportunity to learn more about the history of the Vatican Observatory, one of the world’s oldest active astronomical observatories, and about its contribution to scientific research and culture.
Reservations can be made online through the official Vatican Museum Ticketing portal, in the section dedicated to the Vatican Observatory (Specola Vaticana):
Book your visit to the Vatican Observatory
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USEFUL INFORMATION FOR YOUR VISIT:
· The visit take place in small groups, with a maximum of 25 participants per group.
· The visit lasts approximately 90 minutes.
· Due to the characteristics of the itinerary, which includes stairs, the visit may not be accessible to visitors with strollers or wheelchair users.
· Comfortable shoes are recommended.