Sicily’s Il Tar suspends work on European Flyeye telescope in Madonie

Last Updated: September 4, 2024

Il Tar Sicilia sospende i lavori per il telescopio europeo Flyeye sulle Madonie

The construction of the astronomical observatory in the Madonie, which includes the European Flyeye telescope for identifying Earth-threatening asteroids, was ready to begin. However, the Tar (Regional Administrative Court) halted the inauguration, scheduled for September 6, in the presence of Minister Alfonso Urso and the President of the Sicilian Region, Renato Schifani. The Sicilian Administrative Court ordered the suspension of the works following appeals from environmental associations: the Italian Alpine Club, Legambiente Sicilia, Lipu, and WWF Sicilia. The Tar will rule on the matter on September 24 in a closed session.

The observatory is planned to be built on the summit of Monte Mufara within the full protection zone of the Madonie Park. The project has been under discussion for some time, with Italian and European Space Agencies approving the installation of the Flyeye telescope on Monte Mufara, near the Gal Hassin astronomical pole in Isnello.

Environmentalists have consistently opposed the establishment of the new observatory citing its high impact on a protected area. Following various protests, the associations have filed an appeal alleging that the construction commenced without necessary approvals and opinions. The planned works include earthworks on the protected site, 3,540 cubic meters of building volume, a 13-meter-high building, an 800-square-meter area, the construction of a new road (funded by the Region) for access to the mountain summit, and a parking lot for the observatory.

The Tar’s decree also granted a request to obtain documents from relevant authorities, as the procedure may have involved procedural irregularities and non-compliance with regulations. The environmental associations have organized a protest in Piano Battaglia, the area leading to Monte Mufara, to ensure that the works are effectively suspended.

(Photo: artistic representation of the FlyEye telescope on Monte Mufara – source: Esa)