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Highlight nights

Astrotourism in Valtellina, visits and observatories to discover the starry sky

Between 4 and 17 December the passage of the Geminids. Mysterious lights in Valmalenco. The ideal times to admire the celestial vault will be 21 October, 20 November and 20 December

by Enrico Netti

20 October 2025

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Far from the cities. In order to discover the wonders of the celestial vault, it is indispensable to move away from urbanised areas to escape light pollution. Thanks to its location, the Valtellina is establishing itself as a natural location for astrotourism. Already at altitudes of around 1,200-1,500 metres, the air, made clearer by the breezes, offers clear, deep skies that make the stars stand out, brighter and easier to observe. In the last months of 2025, the ideal times will be around 21 October, 20 November and 20 December, moonless nights, perfect for looking up at the sky.

In the Valtellina, it is easy to recognise the best-known constellations and some seasonal figures. These include the majestic Pegasus, the mythical Perseus with its star clusters and, for expert eyes, even Andromeda with its galaxy. Then comes winter and the scenery becomes even more intense: Taurus with the Pleiades, the unmistakable Orion with its belt of three stars, and Gemini, led by Castor and Pollux, bringing to mind the swarm of Geminids.

The highlight nights will be those between 4 and 17 December to witness the passage of the Geminids, also known as 'Christmas stars'. Every year, this meteor shower crosses the sky giving dozens of light trails every hour, with a spectacular peak expected on 13 and 14 December.

In 2025, the coincidence with the new moon will make the darkness even deeper, creating ideal conditions for admiring one of the most exciting phenomena of the year.

The Valtellina offers many destinations, useful points where one can admire the stars. Among these is Ponte in Valtellina, a few kilometres from Sondrio, which hosts the 'Giuseppe Piazzi' astronomical observatory located in San Bernardo, at an altitude of about 1,283 metres. At this altitude, it is the highest observatory in Lombardy: a position chosen for the clarity of the sky, little disturbed by light pollution, and for the ease of access throughout the year. The facility plays a role in disseminating information with various activities offered to visitors.

The evenings dedicated to observing the night sky, guided by lectures and practical demonstrations, offer the opportunity to learn about celestial phenomena and astronomical instruments up close. In this way, the observatory becomes a place where scientific knowledge is intertwined with local history and the Valtellina landscape, making the experience accessible even to those approaching astronomy for the first time.

Above Tirano and Aprica lies Trivigno, a small alpine plateau in the Media Valtellina. It is one of the most suitable places for observing the night sky, especially in autumn, when the clear air provides clear nights and makes the stars shine. The experience can be enriched with a sunset trek along one of the area's trails or with photo sessions dedicated to the starry sky, transforming the mountain into an ideal stage for astrotourism.

The Valmalenco not only offers alpine landscapes but is an excellent spot for observing astronomical phenomena.

The area is well-known among mystery enthusiasts because there are reports of bright beams, lights and unidentified flying objects that attract the curious and ufology enthusiasts. Reports tell of sudden flashes in the mountains, luminous objects above glaciers and other enigmatic episodes that stimulate the imagination and curiosity of those who visit the valley.

The frequency of these sightings has led, since 2021, to the monitoring with webcams of the sky as well as the collection of testimonies, images and videos by the Valmalenco Ufo Target (VUT) project, while the Arìa association (Italian Alien Research Association) is in charge of analysing them. Thus the valley is charged with mystery, a bit like Area 51 in Nevada, and there are those who imagine the sojourn of the 'Malieni', imaginary extraterrestrials that have landed in the mountains and woods of Valmalenco.

For simple night hikes, Valchiavenna is more suitable, offering a unique adventure amidst nature, history and legend with the 'Al chiaro di luna' (In the moonlight) hike on Saturday 8 November, organised by the Associazione Amici Val Codera, which follows the ancient mule track connecting Mezzolpiano and Codera. A route that on moonless nights leaves room for a sky full of stars.

A few kilometres from Bormio, the Val di Rezzalo offers an ideal observation point for enthusiasts, while the high altitude of Livigno brings the starry sky closer. From 'Little Tibet', the easiest route to observe the constellations goes from the Pass d'Eira to the Crap de la Parè: it is best to position yourself on the slope towards Trepalle to reduce the glare of the lights. Outside the town, the Alpe Vago can also be reached by car and offers a suggestive immersion in the surrounding nature, perhaps by moonlight.

As you ascend in altitude, it is advisable to be accompanied by local hiking guides if you have no experience on mountain trails. You will reach more sheltered areas, such as the Forcola and Lago del Monte lakes, from where you can enjoy a wide sector of sky, perfect for astronomical observation from the Italian 'roof of the world'.

There are many astronomical observatories in the region and the one in Merate is celebrating a century of activity. The Brera Astronomical Observatory was built in 1764 and is a research institute of excellence. In Cernusco sul Naviglio there is the Civico Gabriele Barletta, while in the vicinity of Bergamo there is "La torre del sole" in Brembate di Sopra. The one in Varese is dedicated to Giovanni Virgilio Schiapparelli, while in nearby Tradate there is the Centro didattico scientifico - Astronomical Observatory and EcoPlanetario.