Specola Museum

The Museum of Specola in Bologna, located inside the charming Palazzo Poggi, is a place rich in history and science. Founded in 1725 as part of the Institute of Sciences wanted by Count Luigi Ferdinando Marsili, the museum aims to preserve and disseminate the astronomical heritage accumulated over the centuries. Its location in the tower of the institute offers visitors a fascinating journey through the instruments and discoveries that have marked the history of astronomy. The visit to the museum begins with the discovery of the rooms dedicated to historical scientific instruments. Among these, the armillary spheres stand out, used to represent the motion of the planets, and the wooden telescopes, which allowed celestial observations with revolutionary precision for the time. An emblematic example is the astronomical clock by Giovan Battista Amici, which with its lunar phases and planetary positions represents a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering. The museum also houses models of ships and ancient maps that illustrate the evolution of navigation and cartography from the Middle Ages to the modern era. These artifacts underline the importance of Bologna as a center for geographical and astronomical studies. Navigation instruments and detailed maps document explorations and geographical discoveries, providing a fascinating insight into the orientation techniques and geographical knowledge of the time. Another point of great interest is the section dedicated to anatomical ceroplastics. Here, visitors can admire anatomical wax models made in the 18th century for educational purposes. These models, works by artists such as Ercole Lelli and Giovanni Manzolini, are famous for their precision and detail in reproducing the human body, representing a perfect balance between science and art. The Museum of Specola is not just a collection of scientific instruments, but also a center for research and innovation. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the observatory was at the center of important astronomical discoveries, such as the discovery of the dwarf planet Ceres by Giuseppe Piazzi in 1801. This discovery had a significant impact on our understanding of the solar system and consolidated Bologna’s role in the history of astronomy. The climb to the museum tower is a unique experience that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Bologna. The tower, with its 272 steps, is a challenge for visitors, but the view from the top more than compensates for the effort. From the terrace, you can admire a 360-degree panorama of the city, with its red roofs, medieval towers, and, on clear days, the hills surrounding Bologna. The museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, conferences, and educational activities to bring the public closer to the science and history of astronomy. These events, aimed at all age groups, represent an important educational resource and contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Interviews and stories from researchers and astronomers who have worked at the observatory enrich the visitor’s experience, offering an emotional and personal connection to the museum’s history. The story of Guido Horn d’Arturo’s telescope, exhibited in the museum, is particularly interesting. Horn d’Arturo, a 20th-century Bolognese astronomer, was a pioneer in the use of segmented mirror telescopes, an innovation that allowed for higher-quality astronomical images. This type of telescope is still the basis for the largest and most powerful telescopes used for exploring deep space.