The Astronomic Observatory is located on Monte Mario, where it was founded in 1923, at an altitude of 139 metres. The building presents a 32 metre high Sun Tower, built in 1951, and two domes. From here you can enjoy a marvelous panoramic view of the city since it is the highest place in Rome.

Inside the near Museo Astronomico e Copernicano (Astronomic and Copernican Museum) you can admire a complete collection of astronomic tools, from telescopes to sextants, astrolabes, quadrants and armillary spheres. Many of them are rare exemplars and the collection of celestial and earth globes of the museum is currently one of the biggest in Europe.

Nowadays the observatory and the museum can be visited only upon reservation, whereas the main building of Rome Observatory has been transferred to Monteporzio Catone, nearby Frascati, where there’s also a vast 19th century library and an art gallery.

Whoever wants to admire a copy of the entire vault of heaven can go to the Planetarium, located in Piazza Giovanni Agnelli 10, where numerous events take place. Its dome is 14 metre wide. You can also visit the near Astronomic Museum.