Presentation
The Specola Museum of Astronomy in Bologna is housed in the historic astronomical Tower built between 1712 and 1726 on the initiative of count Luigi Ferdinando Marsili (1658-1730). Situated above Palazzo Poggi, today the seat of the University of Bologna, the Tower was designed by Giuseppe Antonio Torri (1655-1713) and completed by Carlo Francesco Dotti (1670-1759). Inaugurated in 1727, the Specola remained the university’s only observatory until 1936, when the Loiano Observatory was built thanks to Guido Horn d’Arturo (1879-1967), director at the time. The Specola Tower continued to house the University of Bologna’s Institute of Astronomy and it was here that Horn built the first tessellated mirror in history. Since the 1990s, the Tower has been gradually transformed into a museum, which today is home to an extraordinary collection of scientific instruments that tell the story of the evolution of observation and knowledge of the cosmos and the Earth from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Today, the exhibition is spread over four floors and ends on the panoramic terrace, from where you can enjoy an impressive view of the city of Bologna.
INFORMATION AND SERVICES
Address
Via Zamboni, 33 - 40126 Bologna
Contacts
+39 051 2099610
Ticket Office
Further Information
Scientific Advisor Prof.ssa Marcella Brusa
Opening hours
Tuesday - Friday: admission every hour from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last admission at 3 p.m.), for a maximum of 15 people per session
Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays: admission every hour from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last admission at 5 p.m.), for a maximum of 15 people per session
Booking recommended.
Tickets
Standard ticket 8€
Reduced-rate tickets 4€: young people aged 20 to 26; visitors over 65; groups (min 10 / max 15 participants); FAI card holders
Free admission: students of the University of Bologna; staff of the University of Bologna; groups of Winter/Summer School students organized or participated by University of Bologna; young people up to 19 years old; school teachers of all grade levels with card; visitors with disabilities and accompanying visitors; licensed journalists and tourist guides; ICOM card holders, ANMS card holders; Card Cultura holders; Associazione Almae Matris Alumni; Students of Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna; Ukrainian citizens.
The admission ticket to the Specola Museum of Astronomy entitles you to free admission to the European Museum of Students – MEUS.
Further information
The climb up the Tower requires considerable physical effort: visitors should be aware that the staircase is made up of 272 steps. Admission is therefore not recommended for people suffering from heart conditions, dizziness and claustrophobia.
For safety reasons, access to the Tower is not permitted to persons with reduced or impaired mobility.
In the event of rain or snow, the roof terrace will not be accessible due to slippery floors. The tour will end on the seventh floor.
SERVICES FOR SPECIAL OPENINGS
100 € (fixed fee for max 2 hours) + staff costs
50 € for every extra hour
BABY PIT STOP
Dedicated breastfeeding areas donated by Club Soroptimist Bologna, in the framework of UNICEF programme "Insieme per l'allattamento".
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Toilets
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Bookshop
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Lift