Civico Planetario Ulrico Hoepli

About the museum

The Civico Planetario di Milano “Ulrico Hoepli” is an institution dedicated to teaching and popularising astronomy, run by the municipality of Milan. Together with the Aquarium and the Museo di Storia Naturale it forms part of the Civici Musei Scientifici, and it is the largest and oldest planetarium in Italy. It is located in the Giardini Pubblici di Porta Venezia, named after Indro Montanelli, not far from the Museo di Storia Naturale.

The neoclassical building was designed by Piero Portaluppi, one of the leading figures of 20th-century Italian architecture, and opened on 20 May 1930. It was donated to the city by the Swiss publisher Ulrico Hoepli, who dedicated it to Milan, his adopted home. The heart of the building is the domed hall, where an optical-mechanical projector, a true sky simulator, reproduces the appearance of the starry vault and its movements as seen from Earth in the past, present and future. Multimedia equipment and video projections extend the educational and spectacular possibilities.

Since 2016 activities for the public and for schools have been run in collaboration with the Associazione LOfficina, which also runs the ticket office and the bookshop. The programme includes themed lectures, guided observations of the sky, shows for children and special shows that combine science, music, theatre and art. The Planetarium and the Natural History Museum also hold one of the oldest historical meteorite collections in Italy, with over 240 specimens, six of which are displayed free of charge at the Planetarium on a rotating basis.

Highlights

• Italy's largest and oldest planetarium, opened in 1930
• Neoclassical building by Piero Portaluppi in the Giardini Pubblici
• Optical-mechanical projector that simulates the starry sky
• Lectures, guided sky observations and shows for children
• Permanent, free display of meteorites

Permanent exhibition

• Una collezione spaziale – Permanent, free display of six meteorites, rotated from the thirteen most representative pieces of the historic collection of over 240 specimens.

Founded

1930

Operated by

Comune di Milano (Civici Musei Scientifici)

Admission & discounts

Prices are per single lecture or show. Buying online incurs a €1.50 surcharge. The meteorite display in the Planetarium is free. Activities for schools are by booking only, with prices on the dedicated page.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

For people with mobility impairments there is a stairlift on the ramp at the first side door on the right when facing the façade; it must be activated by staff. The toilets are in the hall, to the right of the entrance, including an accessible one. The Rosetta app shows the lecture text in real time on your phone, which is useful for deaf people and people with hearing difficulties.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The programme includes shows for children and young people. Unless otherwise stated, the recommended age for lectures is at least 6–8 years, but there is no age limit for entry.

Getting there & parking

The Planetarium is in the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, at corso Venezia 57.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Bookshop run by the Associazione LOfficina. The Wi-Fi in the hall serves the Rosetta app for simultaneous translation.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit