We present a few out of several significant astronomical sites of the city of Rome. After
the creation of the "Astronomers' Group" of the Collegio Romano, around 1550, under the leadership of
Cristoforo Clavio, Rome witnessed the birth of a number of observatories, some of which welcomed a number of distinguished
scholars, thus providing a vital contribution to the progress of the astronomical sciences.
The two public observatories depending from Institutions - such as the above-mentioned Collegio Romano and the
University of Rome "La Sapienza" (whose observatory was built upon the Capitol Tower of Pope Celestino
V) - played a prevailing role which continued throughout the ages, until they actual merged into the current Astronomical
Observatory of Rome.
On the other hand, private observatories - let us quote, for example, those created by Francesco Caetani and Flavio
Chigi - were short-lived, but witnessed the work of relevant scientists such as Giovanni Battista Audiffredi and
Giovanni Domenico Cassini.
The modern Rome Astronomical Observatory holds the heritage of such a long tradition.