Overview:

The Tower of the Winds is a 12th century tower located in the Vatican City close to Saint Peter’s Basilica. Dating back to the papacy of Pope Clement XII, the tower was commissioned in 1713 and completed in 1720 and is currently a museum of art. The tower is renowned for its Baroque style façade and grand, ornate cupola which can be seen from a distance. The structure stands at about 20 metres tall and is marked by bell towers, balconies, terraces, spires, decorative and structural elements. Inside, visitors can view a collection of artworks from several European artists from the 18th century, historic documents, sculptures and frescoes. Furthermore, the tower is also renowned for its astronomical clock, which features symbols of the eight ancient tevents and indicators of the four seasons. The major attraction of the tower is the spectacular panoramic view that it offers of the Vatican gardens and St. Peter's Basilica. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

The Tower of the Winds, or Horologion of Andronikos Kyrrhestes, is a prominent feature in the Vatican City in Rome. The marble tower, built in the first-century AD, is an octagonal structure rising above the smaller rectangular courtyard of the former Temple of Isis and Serapis. It is the oldest surviving example of a maritime sundial, and one of the most important ancient monuments in the city. The Tower bears a Greek inscription which translates as: “We make the winds lie down through the gods Osiris and Isis and Serapis.” It is believed that this inscription refers to the god's control over the nearby Tiber River. The Tower was used as a time-keeping device and has many decorative features that speak to its importance in the ancient world. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Tower of the Winds is a tall baroque marble tower located within the Vatican-City complex in Rome, Italy. The tower was built in 1655 to serve as both a bell tower and an astronomical observatory. It was the work of Blaise Pascal, and his brother-in-law, Giovanni Cassini, to create an instrument used to measure both time and the movements of the planets and stars. The tower was originally located on the Janiculum Hill, just outside the walls of Vatican-City. It was later moved to the High Altar of St. Peter's Square in 1782. The main feature of the tower is a huge bronze globe on the top, to which the astronomical instruments were mounted. This globe was constructed on a wooden frame decorated with 8 figures representing the winds that circle the earth. These figures were made of marble and sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Today, the Tower of the Winds remains the one of the most iconic symbols of Vatican-City, and it has been included on all postage stamps issued by the Holy See since 1896. In addition to its astronomical use, the Tower was used by Pope Pius IX to announce time changes and the ringing of bells to mark important events. It still serves as a reminder of the long history of Vatican City and the skills of brilliant thinkers in the Renaissance. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Tower of the Winds was built by Pope Sixtus V, and the remains of the original tower still exist in the Vatican City. 2. The Tower was designed as an astrology observatory, with its eight wings representing the eight winds of the world. 3. The Tower was built to be the first clock tower in the world, with a large clock face that would light up at night so the Pope could tell the time. 4. The Tower has been an inspiration for many works of art, including Michaelangelo's fresco in the Sistine Chapel. 5. A large sundial is found on the Tower's roof, giving it the title the Solar Tower. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.