Built in 1991 by the Commune of San Marcello Pistoiese with the contribution of the Region of Tuscany, the Province of Pistoia, the "Comunità Montana" and the Commune of Piteglio, the Astronomical Observatory is situated on a plateau above Gavinana at an altitude of about 950 meters, in an excellent position for the observation of celestial phenomena.

Enlarged in September 2003, it has two semi-spherical rotating domes with diameter of 5 meters, as well as excellent instrumentation for amateurs, including a 60-cm telescope, and a hall equipped with good audio-visual equipment for meetings and conferences. It is engaged in divulging and promoting astronomy through conferences, slide projections, demonstrations and telescopic observations. In the research sector, the "Gruppo Astrofili Montagna Pistoiese" (amateur astronomers group) (GAMP) conducts research in the field of astrometry and is dedicated to the discovery of new minor planets and comets.