On a recent vacation trip to Rome I was lucky enough to also visit the Vatican. Our group toured the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Papal Crypts and St. Peter’s Square. It was an amazing experience to be sure but one tower seen from the Pigna (Pinecone) Courtyard caught my eye. I had read about the “Tower of the Winds” and it’s historical importance in astronomy prior to our trip.

The Tower of the Winds, also known as the Gregorian Tower, is a prominent structure in the Vatican Gardens in Rome. The tower was designed by the famous Jesuit German mathematician and astronomer Father Christopher Clavius and built in the late 16th century. Its primary purpose was to serve as an astronomical observatory for the Vatican, as well as a platform for viewing Rome.

The Tower of the Winds was equipped with several astronomical instruments, including a meridian line, a solar quadrant, and a celestial globe. These instruments allowed astronomers to accurately measure the position of celestial bodies and to determine the time of day with great precision.

Continue reading The Tower of the Winds and the Gregorian Calendar →