Bologna Observatory

Built in 1726 as Italy's first public observatory, Bologna Observatory now lives on as the Specola Museum of Astronomy inside the city's historic Palazzo Poggi.

About Bologna Observatory

The Observatory of Bologna is an astronomical observatory in Bologna, Italy, and one of twenty facilities that make up Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). Its historic tower and instruments are preserved today as the Specola Museum of Astronomy, part of the University of Bologna's museum network.

History

Built in 1726, the observatory was the first public observatory in Italy, and its tower and rooms at Palazzo Poggi have preserved centuries of astronomical instruments, telescopes and archives that visitors can now see on guided tours.

Location & getting there

The observatory occupies Palazzo Poggi in the historic centre of Bologna, Italy, making it an easy stop for anyone exploring the city on foot.

Visiting Bologna Observatory

The Specola Museum of Astronomy can only be seen on a guided tour, included in the ticket price, offered in Italian and English at set times of 10:30, 12:00 and 15:30, Tuesday to Sunday; each tour lasts about an hour and takes a maximum of 15 people. The museum is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 15 August, and 24–25 December, and booking ahead is recommended, especially for English-language tours, which often sell out. For information or reservations, contact the ticket office on +39 051 2099610 or [email protected].

See your named star from here

Standing in the historic dome where Italy's first public observatory once tracked the sky is a memorable way to connect with the idea of a star bearing your name. After a visit, look up its coordinates in our catalogue, or start by naming a star and finding an active observatory in our directory to view it through a telescope.