Event Date: 2022/06/18

👉 Saturday, June 18th, 2022: Museum and Archaeological Area of Sperlonga (near Latina, Italy). Presentation, Guided Tour and Observation of the Solstice Sunset inside the Grotto of Tiberius.

✅ The Director of the Archaeological Museum of Sperlonga, archaeologist Cristiana Ruggini has organized a special event to admire the illuminations of the Grotto which can be seen only in the days of the Summer Solstice. Special late opening of the Site until 10 pm.

✅ 6:30 pm: Presentation of Archaeologist Marina De Franceschini, expert of Cultural Archaeoastronomy. She discovered the astronomical orientation of the Grotto of Tiberius at Sperlonga towards the sunset of Summer Solstice. She will explain the symbolic meaning of the decoration and of the illuminations that occur inside the Grotto.

✅  7:30 pm: Guided tour inside the Grotto to discover its hidden treasures, notably the cubiculum with revetment of precious mosaic and shells. The ancient homeric myths of the Iliad and Odyssey will be recalled: Ulysses, the Enchantress Circe, and the blinding of Giant Polyphemus.

✅ 8:00 pm: Observation on the spot of the magic Sunset illuminations from inside the Grotto. The rays of the Sun will hit an image of the sculpture of Polyphemus, which is now set in the grotto to rebuild in part its ancient decoration.

‼️  Don't miss this great event! The Special Effects of the Myth of Ulysses illuminated by the Setting Sun.