Virtual tour through the history of the Vatican Specola, one of the world's oldest astronomical observatories

The Vatican Observatory, which can be considered one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world, presents the virtual tour of its history present at the domes building in the Papal Villas(Barberini Domes) and of the historic telescopes in the same building and on the roof of the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo (Domes of the Papal Palace). Visitors can immerse themselves in a journey that will lead them to discover the scientists and instruments that have traced the history of this ancient Vatican scientific institution dedicated toastronomy.

The first room recounts the origins of the Vatican Observatory, starting with Pope Gregory XIII, proponent of calendar reform in 1582, to Pope Leo XIII, founder of today’s Vatican Observatory in 1891 with Father Francesco Denza, a Barnabite, as director and a dome on the Tower of Winds, passing through Father Angelo Secchi, SJ with the Pontifical Observatory of the Roman College. The tour continues with the display of some ancient astronomical instruments, to arrive in the room that recounts the presence of the Vatican Specola at Castel Gandolfo. The last room describes the activities of the Specola, from its presence in Tucson, Arizona, to illustrating the research and dissemination activities carried out by the Jesuits and priests. The virtual tour then leads to the roof of this building, which houses the two historic telescopes Carte du Ciel and Schmidt. Finally, the visitor is “teleported” to the roof of the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace where the two large domes with the Double Astrograph and the Visual telescope are located.

All the work was possible thanks to the collaboration of the company Dimensione3 and was realized by integrating Matterport technology, the world’s leading platform for the creation of digital twins, and Dimensione3 software that allows for the addition of customized interactions and features aimed at enhancing the digital experience and the dissemination effectiveness of the Observatory’s scientific content. The realization of the project was based on the careful planning of every detail, from the weather and light conditions during the survey, to the optimal observation points for digital exploration, to the most suitable route for the visitor, and finally to the features that best enhance the historical and scientific content.

The survey of the locations was carried out with state-of-the-art equipment, which enabled high photographic quality and the creation of the integral 3D model of the spaces. The 3D models, in addition to allowing a realistic virtual visit, also represent valuable elaborations that become the heritage of the Vatican Specola in terms of digital archives and at the same time form the basis for the development of new future projects. The digital exploration of the two Vatican Astronomical Observatory sites is enhanced with personalized features and interactions. Interactive virtual signage guides the visitor, allowing in-depth historical and scientific insights, interactive links between the two locations, and cross-references to the Vatican Observatory website.

The virtual tour can be accessed at https://www.vaticanobservatory.va/en/

Virtual tour through the history of the Vatican Specola, one of the world's oldest astronomical observatories

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