Brera Astronomical Museum

The Brera Astronomical Museum is located within the architectural complex of the Accademia and Pinacoteca di Brera. The Astronomical Museum is made up of the Instrument Gallery and the Schiapparelli Dome. The gallery is located on the second floor of the Palazzo di Brera, immediately after entering the headquarters of the Brera Astronomical Observatory. The collection exhibited in the Museum is the result of the astronomy collections of the Directors that have followed one another over the years, starting with Schiapparelli. The current layout of the gallery is the result of the meticulous conservation, restoration and enhancement work by Guido Tagliaferri and Pasquale Tucci. This nucleus of astronomical instruments has been enriched by scientific instruments such as telescopes, microscopes, pneumatic and electrostatic machines and instruments for cartographic detection. Also part of the museum is the dome that contains the 8-inch refracting telescope installed by Virginio Schiapparelli in 1875 and used by him for his astronomical research. In 1999 the telescope and dome were restored and brought back to their original condition. The museum is currently being refurbished thanks to a large loan from the Lombardy Region.