The Armillary Sphere

The armillary sphere and the scholar Hallerstein

The Ljubljana audio-guided tour points out to you a curious sculpture, which seems straight out of an observatory: a large metal armillary sphere. It pays tribute to a slightly forgotten but fascinating scholar of Ljubljana, Augustin Ferdinand Hallerstein.

From Ljubljana to the Beijing observatory

Born in 1703, Hallerstein was a Jesuit, astronomer and mathematician. His life took him very far from his native city, all the way to Beijing, where he became director of the imperial observatory of China. It was there that he designed this sphere, unique of its kind, which blended European astronomical knowledge and Chinese traditions: a rare encounter between two worlds, in the eighteenth century. The replica set up here perpetuates the memory of this extraordinary destiny.

What there is to see

The armillary sphere, made of intersecting metal rings representing the celestial circles, is as beautiful as it is intriguing. It evokes ancient astronomy and the genius of a Slovenian who became a figure of science at the court of China. It is an original stop, which invites you to look up to the sky and discover a little-known aspect of the history of Ljubljana.

Practical information

The armillary sphere is in the historic centre of Ljubljana, in the public space. It can be contemplated freely at all hours and on the level, along the walk in the old town.

Who was Augustin Ferdinand Hallerstein?

A Jesuit, astronomer and mathematician born in Ljubljana in 1703, who became director of the imperial observatory of China, in Beijing.

What is an armillary sphere?

An astronomical instrument made of rings representing the celestial circles; this one was designed by Hallerstein by blending European and Chinese knowledge.