The Sormano Astronomical Observatory was originally established in the 1980s by the Gruppo Astrofili Brianza (Brianza Amateur Astronomy Group). Inaugurated in 1988 within a renovated mountain hut, it immediately drew attention and interest from both researchers and enthusiasts for its outreach and scientific contributions. For decades, it has collaborated with the Minor Planet Center—the organization appointed by the International Astronomical Union to collect and archive observational data on minor bodies in the Solar System. Over the past thirty years, the observatory has discovered more than a hundred asteroids, many of which are named after notable local figures or landmarks. Thanks to this remarkable research activity, it remains the only amateur observatory recognized by NASA among the world’s top observatories.
As the observatory’s public engagement and outreach activities expanded, the need for a larger, more accessible facility became clear. A new location was made possible through an Interreg project led by the Municipality of Sormano and promoted by the Gruppo Astrofili Brianza, in partnership with the University of Insubria (Como), the Polytechnic University of Milan, and Gruppo Amici del Cielo. The new observatory—equipped with a full planetarium—was officially inaugurated in early 2025.
Conceived as a multi-purpose space, the observatory is set to become a cultural hub for the entire Como region and beyond. A spacious main hall, featuring a nearly 30-meter-long glass wall, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and hosts conventions, lectures, conferences, as well as thematic exhibitions. During the warmer months, the panoramic terrace turns into an open-air stage for concerts and small events. Strategically located at the heart of the Larian Triangle—where mountain trails and scenic roads converge—the observatory is easily reachable from Como, Lecco, and Milan. Visitors looking for a fully immersive experience between the stars and the mountains can stay overnight at the on-site guesthouse, which offers accommodation for up to 24 people.