Bolzaneto observatory

The Bolzaneto observatory, formally the Astronomical Observatory of Genoa, sits in the hills of the Bolzaneto quarter of Genoa, Italy, looking out over the city and its harbour.

About Bolzaneto observatory

The observatory combines a working astronomical telescope with a planetarium, and runs a hands-on educational programme called "The Planets' Way", which uses a scale model built at a ratio of 22 billion to one to give visitors a physical sense of the distances across the Solar System. The exact founding year and founding organisation aren't publicly documented, so we haven't stated one here.

Telescopes & research

Alongside its telescope, the site's planetarium and scale-model trail are used for regular public education, making the observatory as much a teaching venue as an observing one.

Location & getting there

Bolzaneto observatory sits in the Europe region, in the hills above the Bolzaneto quarter of Genoa, Italy, with views over the harbour below. Use the map and directions button on this page to plan your visit.

Visiting Bolzaneto observatory

The observatory hosts public observing nights on a monthly basis, alongside its planetarium shows and "The Planets' Way" walk. Check the observatory's own channels for the current schedule before travelling.

See your named star from here

A named star comes with the exact coordinates needed to find it, the same kind of position data used to point any telescope, including here in Genoa. Browse the star catalogue to see stars named near this part of Italy.