The Observatory Museum was opened to the public for the first time in March and April
2001, for the exhibition "Da Cerere all'Astrofisica" (from Ceres to Astrophysics).
The great success of this event has led to the permanent opening of the museum, starting from the 1st October 2001,
from Monday to Friday, (holidays excluded).
The Museum is located in the original premises of the Observatory, founded in 1790, and now restored. It houses
a rich collection of original fittings and instruments.
In particular, the famous Ramsden's circle - with which Giuseppe Piazzi discovered Cerere Ferdinandea, the first of the Asteroids, on the
night of the 1st January 2001 - has been put back in its "circular room".
The "meridian room"
with the boiseries designed by Giovan Battista Filippo Basile, has been repainted with its original colours. Merz equatorial, bought
in 1895, has been placed back in its original room. With this instrument in 1865, the astronomer Pietro Tacchini
started the systematical observations of the sun.
The XVIII century show-cases, designed by the architect Dufourny, have been placed in the gallery. They contain the oldest intruments in the Observatory.
All the instruments of historical interest, collected over the 200 years of activity of the Palermo Observatory,
are kept in modern exhibitors.
Visits last one hour, and are guided (Italian, English and French).
There are two visits per day:
- first entrance at 9.30
- second entrance at 11.00
The visit costs Lit. 5.000 per person (2,5 Euros from 01-01-2002) and the maximum number of participants per visit
is 15.
It is necessary to book in advance in order to visit the museum.
Visitors are not accepted if they arrive 15 minutes later than the time above.
For reservation and/or information, please contact:
