Solarium Augusti, Monumental sundial in Campus Martius, Italy
The Solarium Augusti features a 21-meter Egyptian obelisk that functions as a gnomon, casting shadows across a marble pavement to indicate time and dates.
Emperor Augustus ordered the construction of this solar clock in 10 BCE after bringing the obelisk from Heliopolis following his conquest of Egypt.
The pavement design incorporated bronze indicators and mathematical calculations to track the sun's movement, demonstrating Roman advances in astronomical measurements.
Modern visitors can observe the relocated obelisk, now known as the Obelisk of Montecitorio, standing in front of the Italian Parliament building.
On specific dates, the shadow of the obelisk created a direct line to the center of Augustus's Mausoleum, connecting astronomical function with imperial architecture.
Location: Rome
Part of: Campus Martius
GPS coordinates: 41.90056,12.47861
Latest update: May 12, 2025 06:19
Palazzo Montecitorio
56 m
Palazzo Chigi
122 m
Column of Marcus Aurelius
118 m
Sant'Ignazio Church
189 m
Temple of Hadrian
116 m
Obelisk of Montecitorio
18 m
Piazza di Pietra
86 m
Santa Maria Maddalena
166 m
Piazza di Sant'Ignazio
178 m
Palazzo San Macuto
186 m
Palazzo Wedekind
79 m
Palazzo Ferrajoli
124 m
Santi Bartolomeo ed Alessandro dei Bergamaschi
115 m
Palazzo Gabrielli-Borromeo
156 m
Fontana di Piazza Colonna
142 m
Santa Maria in Aquiro
78 m
Teatro Capranica
78 m
Temple of Marcus Aurelius
108 m
Palazzo La Rinascente 1920 (Rome)
186 m
Chiesa di Sant'Andrea della Colonna
119 m
Temple of Matidia
123 m
Palazzo Capranica
88 m
Library of the Chamber of the Deputies, Rome
162 m
Collegio dei Bergamaschi
116 m
Church of San Macuto
148 m
Palazzo Ferrini Cini
64 m
Fontanella di Vicolo della Spada d'Orlando
129 m
Monumento ai Postelegrafonici Caduti nella Grande Guerra
167 mReviews
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