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In the Brescia area we organized two international
planetarium meetings, the first one, the "European Meeting of Mobile
Planetaria" was held in 1995 and the second one, the "Meeting
of French-Speaking Association" was held in 2001, it involved planetarians
from France, Switzerland, Belgium and from the far La Reunion Island.
On other occasions, colleagues from different nations also joined us
to take part in an "Astronomical Tour in Brescia".
The
program for planetarians and teachers as tourists is divided in two
parts: individual visits and group visits. The second one can include
a special tour guide, a private bus if requested and it is organized
in collaboration with a local travel agency. Individual and group visits
include a tour to museums and monuments of astronomical interest in
the city of Brescia, train fares (places to visit are only two hours
by train from Brescia), hotel reservations in Venice and two or more
days stay in the Dolomite Mountains are included.
With
the help of a local travel agency it is also possible to reserve hotels
and train tickets to any other Italian city. The area around Brescia
is well known for its natural beauties and historic places such as the
lake of Garda and the stone engravings of Valle Camonica, one of the
most important sites in the world.
Brescia is near the famous cities of Verona and Milan, which are only
one hour by train, and from Brescia there is a train connection to Florence,
only 3 hours by fast train.
If requested, it is also possible to organize a visit to other Italian
planetaria. More information is available in our Internet site.
From
the Milky Way to the Iron Way
In
Valley Trompia, where Serafino Zani Astronomical Observatory is located,
a wide museum system exists (Iron Way) that describes minings, old way
of working and the industrial activities that caracterize this district.
The Observatory is open each Tuesday, eccept the last one of each month,
from March to November. At 9 p.m. an astronomy lesson begins, while
at 10 p.m. the telescope observations start. The entrance is free.
How
to reach Serafino Zani Astronomical Observatory (Saint Bernardo mountain)
The
famous industrial town of Lumezzane is at twenty kilometers to north
from Brescia. From the motorway Milan-Venice take "Ospitaletto"
exit, west from Brescia, and follow the indications for "Valle
Trompia" and Lumezzane. At "Sarezzo" crosslight turn
to the right for Lumezzane and follow the main street.
Then take the first street on the left (the name of the site is "Termine")
and follow the indications to the Observatory (Osservatorio Serafino
Zani) throught "Gazzolo" and "Pieve". At the church
square of "Pieve" continue by car for other 3 kilometers up
to the mountain street that reaches a small parking area. Continue on
foot following the trail to the Observatory.
Keep an electric torch with you. It will be usefull during the short
foot trail.
Visit
to Saint Bernardo Mountain
The
Observatory is in an interesting natural area, from which it is possible
to see the nearest mountain of valle Trompia, the Padana plain to the
west and in the clearest days even to blink at the Appennini mountains.
Near the Observatory there is a big meadow, pic nic areas, century chesnuts
and many tree species throught the trails of the mountain. On the mountain
there is the Saint Bernardo Church (year 1300).
How
to reach the site of Planetarium Eureka Astronomical Center of Lumezzane
(C.A.E.LUM.)
At
"Sarezzo" turn to the right and follow the direction of Lumezzane.
After some kilometers, at the first traffic-light (on your left there
is the "Municipio") turn to the left and follow the street
on the left. At the first cross way on the right there is the site of
the Planetarium (Lumetel building). The entrance is on the right of
the bus stop.
The Planetarium is open mainly upon request, for groups and schools.
Art
and Science
In
Brescia area it is possible and worthwhile to visit monuments, museums
and historic buildings also of astronomical interest. This astronomical
tour includes: a XVI century astronomical clock in the main square of
the city (the name is Piazza della Loggia); an horizontal sundial of
1792 in the church of S. Giuseppe nearby; a XIX century painting "Newton
discovers the refraction of light" (City Art Museum) with many
elements of astronomical interest; an astronomical globe of Henricus
Hondius; a collection of old astronomical and science instruments and
clocks, including an 1052 year astrolabe. All these pieces are housed
in the Santa Giulia Museum, the most famous one in the city of Brescia.
The tour can end in the castle of Brescia, which is located on the top
of the small hill that marks the center of the town. The castle offers
a beautiful view of the city and a relaxing walk in the castle garden
where a small popular astronomical observatory can be visited each Friday
(9 p.m.) by the public. Another site of astronomical interest is the
Natural Science Museum where the main italian meteorite, falling in
Alfianello (Brescia area), is exhibited.
FOR
INFORMATIONS:
Osservatorio Serafino Zani, via Bosca 24,
25066 Lumezzane(Brescia), Italy,
info@serafinozani.it
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