Astrocamp Manciano Observatory

Astrocamp Manciano Observatory is an astronomical field set among the vineyards and hills of the Maremma, in the Tuscan countryside near Manciano, Italy. Rather than a single domed building, it is a purpose-built site for amateur astronomers to bring and set up their own equipment under some of the darkest skies in the country.

About Astrocamp Manciano Observatory

Hosted at the Agriturismo La Svolta, Astrocamp is described as the first astrophile field dedicated to amateur astronomers in central Italy. It offers sixteen concrete pitches wired with electricity, allowing visiting astronomers to install remote or portable observatories for extended stays rather than a single night's session. The site has become a regular hub for star parties, astrophotography conventions, and educational outreach events, and its unusually dark, unpolluted sky has also drawn specialist astronomical equipment makers who use the location for research and development.

Location & getting there

Astrocamp sits in the Maremma, the wild, sparsely populated stretch of southern Tuscany prized by Italian astronomers for having some of the least light-polluted skies in the country. Its rural setting near Manciano, in the province of Grosseto, keeps it well away from the sky glow of larger towns, which is precisely why amateur astronomers travel here.

Visiting Astrocamp Manciano Observatory

The site is oriented around organised events, star parties, and bookable pitches for astronomers with their own gear, so visiting hours and access vary by event. Anyone planning a trip should check current dates and availability directly with the Agriturismo La Svolta before travelling.

See your named star from here

Because Astrocamp's dark Maremma sky is exactly the kind of setting amateur astronomers seek out, it's a fitting place to look for a star you've had named through Star Register. Bring your certificate's coordinates, and any visiting astronomer with a telescope can help you find your star's position in the sky. Browse the full star catalogue to see how naming works.