From the geophysical-meteorological Observatory of Modena to the Italian network of observatories

The paper reconstructs the history of the Observatory of the University of Modena. The second part describes a network of Italian astronomical observatories, starting from creating a database of the collections by cataloguing the historical instruments through the standard cataloguing pattern for scientific and technological heritage released by the Central Institute for Cataloguing and Documentation within the General Informative System for Cataloguing SIGEC Web. The main goal is to spread knowledge about the collections of scientif ic instruments through an effective cultural and educational action, using in particular the updating of the website, digital technologies and social networks.