Overview:

Casina Pio IV is the official cultural center of the Vatican City located in the gardens of the Vatican Museums. It is one of the few buildings owned by the Holy See that are open to the public. It was originally built in 1577 as a summer villa for Pope Pius IV and was restored in 1887, when it was opened to the public as a museum. It houses works of art from various periods, including ancient Greek statues, Renaissance frescoes, modern paintings, and other memorabilia related to the Vatican. The upper floor is home to the Accademia Pio IV, a cultural institution promoting the sciences and the arts. It has become one of the most popular and well-known attractions in Vatican City. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

1. Courtyard: Casina Pio IV is home to the world-famous Cortile del Belvedere, an expansive 37,000-square-meter courtyard lined with some of the Vatican’s oldest buildings. 2. Museums: The Renaissance villa houses several museums, including the prestigious Picture Gallery, the Museum of Ethnology, and the Academic Museum of Natural History. 3. Garden: Casina Pio IV also boasts a large garden area that’s open to visitors, featuring a tranquil pond and views of the nearby Saint Peter's Basilica. 4. Conference Venue: The building is also used for high-level meetings and conferences between religious and diplomatic dignitaries, most notably the quarterly meetings of the Council of Cardinals and the plenary meetings of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. 5. Fountain: One of the most impressive features of the complex is the ornate fountain and sculpture garden near the courtyard entrance, designed by Gianlorenzo Bernini. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The first version of the Casina Pio IV Pavilion was built in 1560, on orders from Pope Pius IV, near the Belvedere Courtyard and near the apartments for the Cardinals attached to the Apostolic Palace. The Casina Pio IV was originally intended as a place for the Pope and his courtiers to enjoy recreation and entertainment. In 1644, Pope Innocent X commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to make alterations to the Casina and it was during this time the structure was enlarged and surrounded by beautiful statues of Saints. The Casina was given the name 'Orti della Pigna' or 'Courtyard of the Pine Cone". In the late 1700s, the Pavilion was converted into a library known as the 'Vatican Library', which housed the Pope's vast collection of books. In 1870, after the unification of Italy, the Vatican Library was annexed by the Italian Government and moved to its new location in Mount Falcone. The original Casina was then restored and restored to its original state as a private palace of recreation and entertainment, until 1916. At this time, a unique collection of European paintings were moved into the Casina from the Borgia Apartment, and some of the most famous works by Tintoretto, Raphael, Velàzquez, and Hayez were hung on its walls. In 1929, during the reign of Pope Pius XI, the Casina was transformed into the Papal Academy of Science and re-named the 'Academy of the Vatikan'. In 1981, when it became a museum, the name was changed again to the 'Vatican Museum of Science'. Today the Casina is filled with a variety of scientific instruments, and is open to the public. In addition to the permanent exhibits on the history of science and art, the Academy hosts a variety of educational programs and lectures throughout the year. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. Built in 1558, Casina Pio IV is the oldest building in the Vatican. 2. Casina Pio IV was originally made as a summer retreat for Pope Pius IV, and was built with an impressive view over the Vatican Gardens. 3. The building features Renaissance-style architecture, with a central courtyard, loggia, three floors, and a high roof. 4. The building contains some of the earliest works of art held in the Vatican, including the original Raphael frescoes in the Sala di Costantino. 5. Casina Pio IV is now the home of a science museum, containing over 2,000 scientific instruments and artifacts from the 15th to 18th centuries. 6. The Casina Pio IV is also known as the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which is responsible for organizing events to promote international sustainable development. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.