Ximenian Observatory

The Ximenian Observatory has watched Florence's skies, and its earthquakes and weather, since 1756, from its historic home near Piazza San Lorenzo in the heart of the city.

About the Ximenian Observatory

Named after its founder, the scientist Leonardo Ximenes, the Osservatorio Ximeniano is an independent research institute specialising in meteorology and geophysics, based in a wing of the former Collegio degli Scolopi in Florence. It now operates as a nonprofit foundation (ONLUS).

History

Founded in 1756, the observatory is closely tied to the story of modern meteorology, which began in Florence. Over the centuries its work expanded well beyond astronomy into cartography, preserving historical maps of Tuscany, and seismology, building one of the world's oldest traditions of instrumental earthquake observation. A radio station was added to its activities in 1912.

Telescopes & research

The Ximenian Observatory's collections today include two libraries (one historical, running through the 1800s, and one of modern publications), an archive of centuries of meteorological and seismic bulletins, a map collection, a photo archive of plates and seismograms, and a museum of scientific instruments.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits in central Florence, Italy, with access from Piazza San Lorenzo, right in the historic heart of the city. Use the map and directions button on this page to find your way there.

Visiting the Ximenian Observatory

Guided tours of the Ximenian Observatory are available by request. Check the observatory's official website, listed in our sources below, for current tour arrangements before visiting.

See your named star from here

An institution with nearly 270 years of astronomical history is a fitting place to think about your own named star and its exact coordinates. Browse the catalogue to see stars already named by our customers.