Museo del Balì

About the museum

The Museo del Balì was inaugurated on 16 May 2004 in the Villa di San Martino, in the municipality of Colli al Metauro, about 15 km from Fano. The building stands on a hill with a wide view over the Metauro valley and the Adriatic Sea. In antiquity a temple dedicated to Mars stood on the site; a chapel of San Martino is documented as early as 1165.

At the end of the 14th century Bishop Giovanni Filippo Negusanti had the building restored, and it remained in his family until the 18th century. The person most closely associated with the villa is Vincenzo Negusanti, bishop of Rab (Arbe) and an expert in astronomy, who observed the sky from the four towers and retired there until his death in 1573. The present name derives from Count Gian Gastone Marcolini, Gran Priore Balì of the Order of Saint Stephen.

In the 19th century the property passed to Maximilian of Leuchtenberg, then to the Jesuits of Fano and, after 1861, to the Collegio Nolfi. Restored for the opening of the museum, the villa retains the appearance of an 18th-century noble residence and today houses a modern science centre run by the Fondazione “Villa del Balì”.

Highlights

• Over 40 interactive stations to try out on your own
• Digital planetarium with shows of about 30 minutes
• Astronomical observatory in the park, open in summer in good weather
• Creative workshops and activities for schools and families
• 18th-century villa with a view over the Metauro valley

Permanent exhibitions

• Sale espositive interattive – Over 40 interactive stations for experiencing scientific phenomena and principles first-hand.
• Planetario digitale – Shows of the starry sky in a structure inside the building, included in the ticket.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Fondazione «Villa del Balì»

Visitors per year

approx. 50,000

Admission & discounts

The single ticket covers the exhibition rooms with the interactive stations and the planetarium show; in summer the astronomical observatory is included when the weather allows. Online booking of date and time is strongly recommended, and payment is made at the time of booking. No discounts are provided for journalists, law-enforcement officers or teachers visiting in a private capacity.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

The museum and the planetarium are free of architectural barriers, with a lift, ramps and dedicated toilets. For the observatory in the park, it is advisable to contact the venue in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Experiments to touch and try for all ages, creative workshops, family events such as the Family Day, birthday parties at the museum, and areas for breastfeeding and changing babies.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 15 km from Fano. By car: A14 motorway, Fano exit, then the SS73 bis dual carriageway, Calcinelli exit, and 2 km towards the historic centre of Saltara following the signs. For satnav: Via Savignano 1, Saltara, then all the way to the end of the road.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Caffè del Balì is the on-site refreshment point, with offers also for those who do not enter the museum. At present it does not offer products for coeliacs or people with intolerances.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Large hall with equipment for up to 100 participants, three small workshop rooms, a mini conference room for up to 30 people and an exhibition space of 400 m²; renting the entire venue is also possible.

Plan your visit