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VICENZA SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Build Your Own Universe in an Old Textile Mill
Vicenza Science Festival 2026: Big Bang and More in Vicenza
From 15 to 25 October 2026, the Alto Vicentino Science Festival brings particle physics, astronomy, marine science and some of Italy’s leading science communicators to Schio, in the province of Vicenza. Among the most unusual experiences is *The First 20 Minutes*, an interactive game developed by Italy’s National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), inviting visitors to recreate the earliest moments of the universe inside the historic Lanificio Conte. On 24 October, the programme also features experiments for children, a journey into supernovae, marine science workshops and talks with Marco Cattaneo, editor of National Geographic Italia, and immunologist Antonella Viola. A rather extraordinary Saturday for science lovers, curious travellers and families exploring Vicenza beyond the obvious.
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Sofia Pan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Know before you go
Inside this Story: The Location: an historic wool mill · The Bing Bang Workshop · FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS · PLAN YOUR VISIT
A 1906 wool mill with an extraordinary second life
The location deserves attention of its own. The historic Lanificio Conte began producing wool in Schio in 1757. Its spectacular weaving hall, designed in 1906 by engineer Carlo Letter, was built using reinforced concrete and an innovative glass roof designed to provide the textile workers with uniform natural light. The 1,300 square metre Spazio Shed was restored in 2013 and now hosts cultural exhibitions and public events. Visitors coming for the Big Bang game can also discover a fascinating example of Italy’s industrial architecture, complete with its original distinctive sawtooth roof.
The First 20 Minutes: build your own universe
How would you go about making a universe?
On Saturday 24 October, the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), together with the University of Padua, brings I primi 20 minuti, or The First 20 Minutes, to Vicenza’s Alto Vicentino Science Festival. The challenge is to recreate the first 20 minutes after the Big Bang through a strategy board game. Players work with particles and energy, combining protons and neutrons to form the earliest atomic nuclei and develop their own universe. Strategy, collaboration and a little cosmic competition determine the winning universe. Designed for adults and children aged eight and over, the activity takes place from 2 pm to 6 pm at Spazio Shed in Schio.
More from the Alto Vicentino Science Festival
The festival’s ninth edition runs from 15 to 25 October 2026, with its final weekend bringing science experiments, museum activities and talks by leading researchers to Schio.
Saturday 24 October
10 am to 1 pm · Discover the Atom
INFN researchers introduce children aged 2 to 12 to the invisible world of particles using experiments, stories, origami and playful demonstrations. At Spazio Shed.
10 am to 6 pm · The Alto Vicentino Museum Festival The local museum network celebrates its 25th anniversary with collections, exhibitions, demonstrations and activities exploring the region’s cultural and industrial history. The programme continues on Sunday. At Spazio Shed.
11:30 am · Supernovae: How Cosmic Matter Is Made Astronomer Andrea Reguitti explores exploding stars, the origins of chemical elements and the telescopes used to study them. At Lanificio Conte.
2 pm to 6 pm · Build Your Own Universe The INFN Big Bang strategy game, suitable for ages eight and over. At Spazio Shed.
3 pm · The Breath of the Whale A two hour workshop for children aged 7 to 10, inspired by the illustrated book by Rossana Bossù. An exploration of cetaceans through science, art and curiosity. At Spazio Shed. Advance booking required.
3:30 pm · Science Journalism in an Age of Uncertainty Marco Cattaneo, director of National Geographic Italia, discusses how scientific discoveries are communicated in an era of social media, artificial intelligence and misinformation. At Lanificio Conte.
8:30 pm · Under Stress: The Science of Balance Immunologist Antonella Viola, professor at the University of Padua, discusses how stress affects the brain, heart and immune system, in conversation with Marco Cattaneo. At Lanificio Conte. Advance booking required.
Sunday 25 October
10 am to 6 pm · The Alto Vicentino Museum Festival A second day of exhibitions and activities celebrating the region’s museum collections at Spazio Shed.
10:30 am · The City of Barnacles The second marine science workshop inspired by The Breath of the Whale, for children aged 7 to 10. Duration: two hours. Advance booking required.
Plan your visit
When: Saturday 24 October 2026, from 2 pm to 6 pm for The First 20 Minutes.
Where: Spazio Shed, former Lanificio Conte, Via Pasubio 99, Schio, Vicenza, Italy.
Recommended age: Eight and over for the Big Bang game.
Admission: The festival generally offers free admission while places last. Some activities require advance booking. Specific registration arrangements for The First 20 Minutes should be confirmed with the organisers.
Getting there: Spazio Shed is approximately nine minutes on foot from Schio railway station.
Festival dates: 15 to 25 October 2026, with the main activities featured here taking place on 24 and 25 October.
Sources
- INFN Sezione di Padova · Festival della Scienza dell’Alto Vicentino (FESAV) 2026
- Visit Schio · Lanificio Conte, Spazio SHED
- Unioncamere · Lanificio G.B. Conte Srl
- Musei AltoVicentino · Festival Musei Altovicentino 2026
- FESAV · Supernovae: come nasce la materia del cosmo
- FESAV · Il soffio della balena
- FESAV · Raccontare la scienza nell’era dell’incertezza
- FESAV · Sotto stress: la scienza dell’equilibrio
- FESAV · Programma 2026