The sun in the Gnomon of Florence Cathedral

8, 12, 20 and 25 June, unmissable appointment

Also this year you can watch the exciting passage of the sun in the gnomon of the Duomo of Florence. A unique show in the world, with the rays of the sun coming down through the Cupola di Brunelleschi to form an image of the solar disk that will overlap perfectly with the one on the floor of the Cathedral.

The phenomenon will be visible on days 8, 12, 20 and 25 June, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, in the Cappella della Croce, to the left of the Altare Maggiore.

From 1475 that this phenomenon is repeated in the Duomo of Florence, thanks to an astronomical instrument, the oldest in the world, the gnomon, designed to measure the position of the Sun in the sky and determine the duration of the calendar year.

A gnomon so impressive (with 90 meters is the largest in the world) could also be used for a more ambitious study and that is the one to determine the variation of the rotation axis of the Earth.

The height of the gnomon is such that the Sun's rays reach the floor of the church for a few minutes before and after noon, going to strike a graduated meridian line and two marble circular, one inside the other, marks solstice.

The initiative will also take place with the overcast sky and is free entry, with access before Via della Canonica.

Reservations are recommended by calling 055 2302885.

To download the program, click here