Venus Hill, Astronomical observatory in Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands
Venus Hill is an astronomical observation site in Charlotte Amalie featuring a 13.5-foot masonry obelisk topped with a marble tablet. The tablet bears inscriptions in Portuguese recording astronomical measurements taken at this elevated location.
The site gained prominence in 1882 when Brazilian astronomers conducted observations of Venus transit, recording the planet's passage across the sun's face. This scientific expedition made the location a point of international astronomical interest.
The site's name comes from the Venus observations that once anchored scientific work in the region. Visitors can still see the inscribed tablet that speaks to this astronomical pursuit.
The site sits at an elevated position offering expansive views across Charlotte Amalie, best experienced during daylight hours. Plan your visit when weather is clear so you can read the inscriptions on the tablet and take in the surroundings comfortably.
During World War I, the hill functioned as a military gun emplacement, layering military history over its scientific past. This dual purpose reveals how the same land served entirely different human needs across different eras.
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