If you’re in Ancona during the summer, here’s a magical evening you shouldn’t miss: every Saturday night, the Ancona Astronomical Observatory opens its doors. It’s not just about the stars, the location itself is a treat, with picnic spots, open grassy areas, and breathtaking views over the sea.
La Notte di San Lorenzo
Last year, Elke and Otto visited for a special occasion: to watch shooting stars. According to Elke, it was an unforgettable night.
The observatory’s Saturday events are special in themselves, but there’s one evening that truly stands out: the Notte di San Lorenzo (Night of St. Lawrence) on August 10th. Around this date, Earth crosses the path of Comet Swift–Tuttle: a gigantic “dirty snowball” made of ice, rock, and dust that takes a leisurely 133 years to orbit the Sun. As it travels, it leaves a shimmering trail of debris: the Perseids. When these particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up in spectacular fashion, the “shooting stars” we see lighting up the night. Since August 10th is St. Lawrence’s Day, the phenomenon is also poetically called the “Tears of St. Lawrence.”
Throughout the region, you’ll find Notte di San Lorenzo events in dark, remote spots, far from city lights which is perfect for an uninterrupted view of the night sky.
Arriving at the Observatory
Elke tells us how to reach it!
“We drove to the observatory on August 11th — three of us in the car — and had to search a bit to find it. We ended up parking near Via Vecchia di Pietralacroce / Strada Zuccari. We weren’t alone; there were several parking areas already filling up. From there, a short walk down a narrow lane brought us to the observatory (here are the Google coordinates)”.
Entry is €5 for adults, and free for children under 14. The observatory was founded in 1972 by the Association of Astronomy Enthusiasts of the Marche Region and dedicated to Paolo Senigalliesi, a co-founder who passed away in 1986. His passion for astronomy was so great that, in 1996, an asteroid discovered in space was named after him.
First Impressions – Small Building, Big Sky
“At first, we were surprised! The observatory was tiny, with a bit of a homemade feel. But the grounds were vast, glowing in the golden evening light. For someone like me, who didn’t know what to expect, it almost felt like stepping into a science fiction movie set.
We went inside one by one while it was still daylight to peer through the main telescope. Saturn and the Sun were said to be particularly visible that evening, though I have to admit I didn’t see much detail. Still, I loved the interior, especially the ladder you had to climb to reach the telescope.
Outside, a smaller telescope was also set up, and because we’d arrived early, we didn’t have to queue for long. Half an hour later, both telescopes had lines of eager visitors.”
Picnics with a Sea View
“This was my favorite part: the picnic! Around the observatory, beer tables and benches were set up. Food and drinks were sold at stalls run by Bontà delle Marche, a local gastronomic company from Ancona.
Since it was still warm, we opted for a light starter and side dish, sitting at one of the tables and soaking in the views of the sea, the city, and the sunset. Others brought picnic blankets and their own food, lounging comfortably on the grass as the evening grew darker.”
Constellations, Mythology & Shooting Stars
“As night fell, chairs and a screen were set up in front of the observatory. First came images of stars and planets projected on the screen. Then, a member of the astronomy club began pointing out constellations, explaining their names and the myths behind them — a fascinating mix of Greek and Roman legends, from Cassiopeia to Orion.
Every so often, an excited ‘ooh’ or ‘ahh’ rose from the crowd as a shooting star streaked across the sky. And that night, we saw quite a few — the Perseids in all their glory.
The talk went on for about an hour and a half without a break. I’ll admit, my concentration began to fade, but the children around me stayed engaged. Maybe it was the magic of the night sky, maybe the Italian language demanded more focus from me — or maybe it was the wine and food I’d enjoyed earlier. Still, even without catching every word, the atmosphere was unforgettable: warm summer air, a star-filled sky, and the hum of happy conversations.”
Practical info for 2025:
The Ancona Observatory will host star nights again in 2025 (and hopefully in the years to come) from July 5th to September 27th, every Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Special Notte di San Lorenzo events will take place on August 10th and 11th.
Entry: €5 for adults; free for children under 14
Note: This year, there will be no food stalls or tables. Visitors are welcome to bring their own blankets, food, and drinks. Chairs will be provided.
So pack your picnic basket, bring a cozy blanket, and prepare for an evening under a magical summer sky.
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