DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Casina Pio IV

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Landmark
—°10
Casina Pio IV (Vatican)

Weather…

The Casina Pio IV, also known as Villa Pia, is an exquisite garden villa located within the Vatican Gardens, celebrated as a masterpiece of late Renaissance and Mannerist architecture. Commissioned in 1558 by Pope Paul IV and completed by Pirro Ligorio for Pope Pius IV in 1561, the complex consists of two facing buildings connected by an oval courtyard with decorative fountains. Its facades are densely covered with elaborate stucco reliefs, mosaics, and mythological allegories, representing the pinnacle of 16th-century decorative art. Since 1936, the Casina has been the official seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, one of the world's most distinguished scientific bodies. This prestigious institution hosts conferences where Nobel laureates and leading experts address global issues such as environmental sustainability, bioethics, and human development. The Casina Pio IV thus represents a unique intersection of classical artistic heritage and cutting-edge intellectual discourse under the aegis of the Holy See.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C781014182326262117128
Rain mm7377695657342626708211492

📋 Practical info

🚪
Visiting
Casina Pio IV is the seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and is normally not open to the public. It can be visited only on special occasions or by appointment.
🕒
Typical hours
There are no regular public opening hours. Tours are only possible upon prior request and are very limited.
📷
Photography
Photography is generally not allowed inside; special events may grant exceptions. The exterior can be freely photographed.
⏱️
Time needed
A visit, if possible, lasts about 30-45 minutes. The Casina is relatively small but architecturally welcoming.
➕
Combine with
Combine your visit with a tour of the Vatican Gardens or a visit to the Vatican Observatory. Both are nearby.
🧭
Getting there
Casina Pio IV is located within the Vatican Gardens. Access is through a special entrance, available only by appointment.
💡
Insider tip
Request a tour well in advance as spots are very limited. Best combined with a Vatican Gardens ticket.

Geography

Coordinates
41.90500, 12.44900

Facts

  • Constructed between 1558 and 1561 by architect Pirro Ligorio.
  • Features a distinctive oval courtyard with twin monumental fountains.
  • Renowned for its intricate Mannerist stucco work and tile mosaics.
  • Became the headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 1936.
  • Named after Pope Pius IV, who oversaw the completion of the project.
  • Serves as a venue for high-level meetings involving Nobel Prize winners.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Our Lady of Guadalupe GardenOur Lady of Guadalupe Garden<1 km · SExplore →
Medaglie d'OroMedaglie d'Oro2 km · NExplore →
Palazzo SpadaPalazzo Spada2 km · SEExplore →
Della VittoriaDella Vittoria3 km · NExplore →
Val CannutaVal Cannuta3 km · WExplore →
PrimavallePrimavalle4 km · NWExplore →
GianicolenseGianicolense4 km · SExplore →
Porta PiaPorta Pia4 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Casina Pio IV (10)

Santa Maria delle Grazie al Trionfale

Church in Rome, Italy, dedicated to Our Lady of Graces.

♿

Lourdes Grotto

Replica of the Massabielle grotto in Vatican City.

Vatican Hill

Hill in Rome, site of St. Peter's Basilica.

Pius IV House

Seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Vatican Art Gallery🏛 museum

Branch of the Vatican Museums displaying paintings.

Museo Gregoriano Profano🏛 museum

Museum of profane art and antiquities.

St Mary's Church

Church building in Vatican City.

Vatican Museums🏛 museum

Museums of the Vatican City with renowned collections.

St John's Tower🗼 tower

Tower in Vatican City.

Porta Pertusa

City gate in Rome, Italy.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Casina Pio IV today?
It is the headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
Who designed the building?
Pirro Ligorio designed this magnificent summer villa in 1558.
Can one visit the building?
Access is usually only possible via guided tours of the Vatican Gardens.
Where is the Casina located?
It is hidden in the Vatican Gardens, west of the Belvedere courtyard.
What characterizes its architecture?
It is a masterpiece of Mannerism with rich stucco decorations and mosaics.
Casina Pio IV: where is it located?
Casina Pio IV is located in Vatican City, Vatican.
Casina Pio IV: what is there to see?
Highlights include Santa Maria delle Grazie al Trionfale, Lourdes Grotto, Vatican Hill.
Casina Pio IV: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Casina Pio IV: why is it worth visiting?
The Casina Pio IV, also known as Villa Pia, is an exquisite garden villa located within the Vatican Gardens, celebrated as a masterpiece of late Renaissance and Mannerist architecture.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Vatican →

History & landmarks

Vatican Observatory — Casina Pio IV (Vatican)
Vatican Observatory
One of the oldest astronomical research institutes in the world.
Governor&#39;s Palace — Casina Pio IV (Vatican)
Governor's Palace
The seat of the government of Vatican City.
Vatican Gardens — Casina Pio IV (Vatican)
Vatican Gardens
An extensive park system that occupies more than half of the state's territory.
Vatican Museums — Casina Pio IV (Vatican)
Vatican Museums
One of the largest and most significant art museums in the world with priceless treasures.
Vatican Library — Casina Pio IV (Vatican)
Vatican Library
One of the oldest libraries in the world with extremely valuable manuscripts.
Vatican Heliport — Casina Pio IV (Vatican)
Vatican Heliport
The Pope's heliport in the westernmost part of the Vatican.
Belvedere Courtyard — Casina Pio IV (Vatican)
Belvedere Courtyard
An architecturally significant courtyard in the Vatican.
Pigna Courtyard — Casina Pio IV (Vatican)
Pigna Courtyard
Known for the huge bronze pine cone sculpture.