Tower of the Stars of Aielli

During my vacation in Collarmele, I tried some Granfondo trails. I often found myself looking at Aielli, perched high above the Fucino plain. After a day of biking, with tough climbs, woods, and open views of Sirente, I decided to go up there. It was more out of curiosity than anything else.

I joined three activities at Aielli's Torre delle Stelle: solar observation, a planetarium visit, and observing Saturn.

The solar observation surprised me the most. Looking through the telescope with proper filters changes everything. It's not just a bright light anymore. You see a living surface with spots and details invisible to the naked eye.

The planetarium was the most "educational" part, but not boring. The explanation is clear. It helps you find your way in the sky: constellations, movements, and references you can spot outside when you look up.

Observing Saturn is the most impressive. Seeing it clearly, with its rings, is hard to describe. You've seen it a thousand times in books or videos, but live, it's a whole different experience.

These were three enjoyable and educational experiences. Even for someone like me, who never had direct contact with astronomy.

The staff was knowledgeable and skilled, but most importantly, they were approachable. Every explanation was clear and never dull. There was always room for questions and exploring curiosities.

I recommend booking in advance because activities are popular and spots are limited. The ticket costs about 6€ per person. For what it offers, it's definitely worth it.

The "Torre delle Stelle" is at the highest point of the village. You can easily reach it by walking up the alleys to the historic center. It's worth stopping here just for the view. It's really wide and open over the Fucino plain. And if you have some extra time, visit the small museum dedicated to the stars.

There's also an interesting story behind this place, which enriches the visit. The first tower in Aielli Alto dates back to the 12th century. But it was destroyed in 1347 during raids from Amatrice. Later, Ruggero II, Count of Marsi, built a new circular tower. It was also a strategic point, visually connected to the tower of Collarmele and the first part of Celano's castle.

Today, this structure is the Torre delle Stelle. It hosts the astronomical museum and the moon museum. It nicely combines the historical part with the modern experience of sky observation.

How to get to Aielli: by car, it's about 10 minutes from Collarmele. There's a short but scenic drive that leads directly into the village.