Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera

The Brera Astronomical Observatory (OAB), a research institute of excellence recognized worldwide, is the oldest scientific institution in Milan.
In 1946 it joined the scientific institutions of the Italian Republic and in 2001 it became part of the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF).
The observatory has maintained its headquarters in Palazzo Brera in Milan since 1762, the year in which Father Lagrange established professional astronomical observational research in Milan.
The first observatory, designed and built by Father Ruggero Boscovich in 1764, underwent transformations to adapt to the observational requirements of subsequent periods.
Subsequently, most of the observational activities were transferred to the second site at Villa San Rocco, in Merate (LC), Brianza, active since 1923.
The research activity is still fully in force at both sites of the Observator.