Rocca di Papa

The “Livio Gratton” Astronomical Park

The "Livio Gratton" Astronomical Park is a scientific structure of excellence in the Castelli Romani area and in the southern province of Rome. Located in the hamlet of Vivaro di Rocca di Papa, in one of the darkest areas of the Castelli Romani, it is an exceptional location for astronomical observation.

Sede del Parco Astronomico "Livio Gratton"

The Park is managed by the Tuscolana Association of Astronomy (ATA), active in the field of promotion and dissemination of scientific culture since 1995. The structure was inaugurated on 7 July 2018 and is the result of a project, promoted and implemented by the Association, of enhancement of the Astronomical Observatory “Franco Fuligni”, operational since 2001. The Astronomical Park, named after the father of Italian Astrophysics Livio Gratton, is equipped with an Observatory equipped with a dome 4 meters in diameter hosting the research telescope, of numerous other telescopes for both night and solar observation, including the 40 cm Dobson fixed telescope, a conference room able to accommodate up to 50 people and a new exhibition dedicated to our Universe; of a fixed Planetarium, a formidable tool for simulating the sky, 7 meters in diameter and with a capacity of 50 seats and educational installations distributed in the two gardens of the north and south.The Astronomical Park “Livio Gratton” proposes diversified activities that respond to the needs of publics of different ages, abilities, cultures, interests and training, and in particular: educational activities for schools of all levels, training and refresher courses for teachers, visits to the planetarium and the exhibition itinerary, conferences and scientific seminars residential, popular activities and environmental tourism, astronomical observation evenings and guided walks. The prestigious scientific structure is also at the forefront in the field of amateur astronomical research and the fight against light pollution.