Wind-Rose & Sundial

Private Tours of the Vatican Museums

Wind-rose marker

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The ancient obelisk in St Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) stands at the centre of a large wind-rose, which was added in 1817.  

The wind-rose (rosa dei venti) takes the form of 16 marble markers, which use the compass points to show the different wind directions. The eight winds are the: Tramontana (north), Greco (north-east), Levante (east), Scirocco (south-east), Ostro (south), Libeccio (south-west), Ponente (west), Maestro (north-west). 

The obelisk also acts as the gnomon of a large sundial. 

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Obelisk/Gnomon