Cittadella Ospitalità della Pro Civitate Christiana

The Christian Observatory

Please note

  • Free entrance
  • Photos are forbidden
  • Possibility of organizing guided tours

The Christian Observatory is a documentation and study centre where it is possible to seek Jesus Christ, whose presence is perceptible in history, actuality and in every human expression such as Literature, Art and Music.

The Library

The Library is specialized for Christological and anthropological studies. It collects about 60,000 volumes concerning Theology, Christology, the Bible, Literature, Philosophy, History and Art; furthermore, the Library conserves an ancient fund of 5000 volumes including about twenty “Cinquecentine” (i.e. highly appraised XVI Century books) and 250 journals in progress. We annually hold meeting of writers/readers and a seminar of Philosophy, in order to highlight those universal values that unify every person, race, religious faith and culture, as well to emphasise the richness of diversity.

Opening hours to the public
Tuesday / from 14:00 to 18:00
Wednesday / from 14:00 to 18:00
Thursday / from 9:00 to 15:00

Cineteca and Fonoteca

The Cineteca (Film Archive) preserves a prestigious collection of films and clips concerning Christological and Christocentric themes, and it is currently under renovation.

The Fonoteca (Sound Archive) counts over 8100 discs – 500 of which are rare pieces –, 650 cassettes, 100 video-cassettes, 34 VHS and 680 CDs of the greatest musical figures of ancient and contemporary music.
Some works have been commissioned and presented during the concert held at Cittadella di Assisi (during the annual Course of Christian Studies): ranging from the modern “oratorios” of masters Bertolucci, Renzi and Rota – musicians who renewed this ancient musical genre – to the “Sagra della Canzone Nova” (lit.: Festival of the New Music), which was born to promote the highest human values through popular music.

Contemporary Art Gallery

The Gallery holds up to 2500 paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings of contemporary artists, as well as 1550 antique prints. All these works concern Christological subjects; the contemporary art pieces are the result of a research carried out by a group of artists interested in the figure of Christ and – in particular – on the figure of “Jesus Worker”, in order to grasp and enhance the facet of the incarnation of the Divine Word in people’s everyday life.

Among the main authors represented, worth mentioning are Giorgio de Chirico, Carlo Carrà, Ottone Rosai, Mario Tozzi, Francesco Menzio, Aligi Sassu, Agenore Fabbri and Fausto Pirandello.
The complete series of the “Miserere” by Georges Rouault (one of the rarest collection in the world composed by 58 engravings) offers a powerful synthesis on the drama of human condition – War, above all, is a huge burden in the human heart – but also on the fraternal and salvific presence of Christ.
The iconographic section collects thousands of photographs concerning ancient and contemporary Christological subjects, which have been catalogued for further studies.
The Children’s Drawing section is the result of a didactic activity carried out with children in the context of a wonderful project named “Playing with Art”. Participants are called to use ancient communication methods like drawing and mime, as well as contemporary communication tools such as photography, cinema and electronic devices.

Opening hours to the public
Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 12:30
Monday and Tuesday & from Thursday to Saturday from 16:30 to 18:30

Closing times
Sunday and Wednesday afternoon

It is also possible to reserve different days and times (upon previous request).