To enrich the scientific program of the conference, a series of cultural and scientific social events will take place at historically significant locations connected with astronomy, science, and the arts in and around Rome. These activities are designed to offer participants an opportunity to experience the historical context of astronomical research while exploring remarkable heritage sites.
Participants will have the chance to visit historic observatories, Renaissance academies, and villas decorated with cosmological and astronomical themes, as well as attend evening events combining music, literature, and sky observation in unique historical settings. These initiatives aim to foster informal exchange among participants while highlighting the deep connections between astronomy, culture, and history in Italy.
Program of Social Events
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5 October – Baroque Music and Astronomical Observations
Giardino Segreto and Teatro d’Acque, 20:00–22:00
An evening event featuring baroque music and guided astronomical observations in the atmospheric setting of the Giardino Segreto and the historic water theatre. -
6 October – Visit the Noble rooms in Villa Mondragone ( require an entrance fee )
From 17:30 onward
Evening visit to Villa Mondragone, one of the largest Renaissance villas in the Roman countryside, historically connected with scientific and cultural activities and renowned for its architectural grandeur. -
7 October – Visit to the Vatican Observatory (Specola Vaticana), Castel Gandolfo
15:30–18:30
Guided visit to one of the oldest astronomical research institutions in the world, located in the Papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. -
8 October – Social Dinner at the Retreat Donna Camilla Savelli in Trastevere
From 20:00 onward
We’ll have dinner in the cloister of a spectacular convent designed by Borromini, which has now been converted into a luxurious retreat.
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9 October – Visit to Pantheon and Villa Medici ( require an entrance fee)
09:00–13:00
In the morning, visit the Pantheon, the ancient Roman temple famous for its dome and its astronomical secretes, and from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., visit Villa Medici, a historic Renaissance villa with beautiful gardens.
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10 October – Visit to the Copernican Museum and Solar Tower, INAF Headquarters (Monte Mario)
09:30–12:30
Visit to the historical Copernican Museum and the Solar Tower at the INAF Headquarters on Monte Mario, offering insight into the history of Italian astronomy and solar observations and the preview of a new temporary exhibition on the Antikythera Mechanism. -
11 October – Excursion to Renaissance Villas in Northern Lazio ( require an entrance fee )
Full-day excursion
Visit to Villa Giustiniani in Bassano Romano and Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola, two outstanding Renaissance villas notable for their remarkable fresco cycles, including celestial and astronomical decorations.