Gregorian Tower, Rome

Name: Gregorian Tower
Address: Rome, Italy

#360 among attractions in Rome

Tower

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Facts and practical information

The Gregorian Tower or Tower of the Winds is a square tower and early modern observatory located above the Gallery of Maps, which connects the Villa Belvedere with the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. The tower was built between 1578 and 1580 to a design by the Bolognese architect Ottaviano Mascherino mainly to promote the study of astronomy for the Gregorian Calendar Reform which was commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII and promulgated in 1582. It was then also known as the Tower of Winds. The tower was also called "Specola Astronomica Vaticana", a reference to the Vatican Observatory. Four stages of progressive development have occurred since it was first established. The tower was an edifice of great value for astronomical observations made using a sundial as they provided essential confirmation of the need to reform the Julian calendar. ()

Local name: Torre Gregoriana Coordinates: 41°54'19"N, 12°27'15"E

Address

Stato della Città del VaticanoRome Italy

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Day trips

Gregorian Tower – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Vatican Museums, Borgia Apartments, St. Peter's Basilica, Apostolic Palace.

~150 ftSE
Museum, Art museum, Sacred and religious sites
Vatican Museums, Rome
1 min walk • The Vatican Museums, nestled within the heart of Vatican City in Rome, Italy, are a treasure trove of art and history, revered as one of the most significant cultural institutions in the world. Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the museums are a...
~1020 ftSE
Palace
Borgia Apartments, Rome
5 min walk • The Borgia Apartments, nestled in the heart of Vatican City in Rome, Italy, are a series of rooms rich in history and artistry. These rooms, located within the Apostolic Palace, were once the private residence of Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo de Borgia, after whom they...
~840 ftSW
World’s largest basilica of Christianity
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
5 min walk • St. Peter's Basilica stands as an iconic emblem of the Vatican City and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture in Rome, Italy. This colossal church, the largest in the world, is a central place of pilgrimage for Catholics and an exemplar of artistic...
~780 ftSE
Pope's official residence in Vatican
Apostolic Palace, Rome
4 min walk • The Apostolic Palace, also known as the Papal Palace, Vatican Palace, or Palace of the Vatican, is an iconic structure located within Vatican City, Rome. It is the official residence of the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, and a site of great historical...
~840 ftS
Michelangelo's iconic painted ceiling
Sistine Chapel, Rome
5 min walk • The Sistine Chapel, nestled within the Vatican City in Rome, stands as a monumental testament to Renaissance art and religious reverence. This sacred site, consecrated in 1483, is renowned for its exquisite frescoes that adorn the interior, most notably the ceiling...
~960 ftS
Church, Vernacular architecture
Cappella Paolina, Rome
5 min walk • Nestled within the heart of Rome, the Cappella Paolina, or Pauline Chapel, stands as a hidden gem of artistic and religious significance. Located within the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican City, this intimate chapel is not as widely known as its neighbor, the Sistine...
~1040 ftSE
City gate
Porta San Pellegrino, Rome
6 min walk • Nestled within the ancient walls of Vatican City lies Porta San Pellegrino, a gateway steeped in history and spiritual significance. This modest yet intriguing structure serves as one of the entrances to the smallest independent state in the world and is a point of...
~380 ftN
Square, Historical and heritage tours, Cultural tours
Pinecone, Rome
2 min walk • Nestled within the heart of Vatican City lies the Pigna, or Pinecone, a towering bronze sculpture that reigns as a centerpiece in the Vatican's Cortile della Pigna, or "Court of the Pinecone". This ancient sculpture, which once adorned a Roman fountain, is now part of...
~570 ftSW
Palace
Casina Pio IV, Rome
3 min walk • Nestled within the verdant Vatican Gardens in Rome, Casina Pio IV is a historic gem that often goes unnoticed by the average tourist. This elegant villa, originally constructed in the 16th century, serves as a testament to the grandeur of Renaissance architecture...
~830 ftSE
Palace
Vatican Pharmacy, Rome
5 min walk • The Vatican loggias are a corridor space in the Apostolic Palace, originally open to the elements on one side, which were decorated in fresco around 1519 by Raphael's large team of artists, with Giovanni da Udine the main hand involved.
~940 ftSE
Church
Saints Martin and Sebastian of the Swiss, Rome
5 min walk • The Church of Saints Martin and Sebastian of the Swiss is a Roman Catholic oratory in Vatican City. The church was built by Pope Pius V in 1568 to serve as a private chapel for the Pontifical Swiss Guards, whose barracks are located next to Porta San Pellegrino, close to the Apostolic Palace.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Gregorian Tower?

Nearby attractions include Vatican Museums, Rome (1 min walk), Vatican Library, Rome (1 min walk), Pinecone, Rome (2 min walk), The Gallery of Maps, Rome (2 min walk).

How to get to Gregorian Tower by public transport?

The nearest stations to Gregorian Tower:

Bus

V.le Vaticano/Musei Vaticani • Lines: 49 (4 min walk)
Bastioni di Michelangelo • Lines: 23, 492 (4 min walk)

Tram

Risorgimento/S. Pietro • Lines: 19 (6 min walk)
Ottaviano • Lines: 19 (10 min walk)

Train

Vatican City (9 min walk)
Roma San Pietro (17 min walk)

Metro

Ottaviano • Lines: A (10 min walk)
Cipro • Lines: A (10 min walk)

Ferry

Sant'Angelo • Lines: Battelli di Roma (20 min walk)
Ponte Cavour (27 min walk)

Light rail

Flaminio • Lines: Fc3 (33 min walk)