Historical Tours & Closures
Historical Tours are currently unavailable.
The Rotunda will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. Normal hours will resume on Friday, Nov. 29.
Did You Know?
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The Rotunda, the centerpiece of the Academical Village, is modeled after the Pantheon in Rome.
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The Rotunda, built at a cost of almost 60,000 dollars, was the last structure to be finished on the Lawn. It was still under construction when Jefferson died in 1826. The building renovation completed in 2016 cost more than 50 million dollars.
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The Rotunda served as the library for more than a century until the much larger Alderman Library was constructed in 1938.
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During the most recent renovation, workers discovered a chemical hearth, part of an early science classroom. It had been sealed in one of the lower-floor walls of the Rotunda since the 1850s.
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Together with Monticello, the Academical Village is designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site.
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The life-size statue of Thomas Jefferson was a gift to the University from the State Legislature in 1861. This statue serves as the mailbox for the Seven Society, the most secretive of the University of Virginia secret societies.
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The Rotunda Capitals, carved from Carrara marble, weigh more than 3 tons each.
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During fall and spring semesters, the Rotunda is open to students for studying from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday - Tuesday, and until midnight during exams.
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The Lower West Oval Room is used for classes three days each week.
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The Rotunda is a multifunctional building used for social events, meetings, classes, etc., much as Jefferson intended.