Open Gate – Caorso Nuclear Power Plant
Sogin's open doors at the former nuclear power plant undergoing decommissioning
About Open Gate Caorso
Visiting Italy's Largest Nuclear Power Plant
In Caorso, a small municipality in the Piacenza plain in Emilia-Romagna, stands what was once Italy's largest nuclear power plant. Today, the facility is undergoing dismantling under the responsibility of Sogin, the state-owned company tasked with decommissioning Italy's nuclear facilities and safely managing radioactive waste. Through Open Gate, this normally off-limits site opens its gates to the public for a few days.
Each year, the initiative involves the country's four decommissioning plants—Caorso (PC), Trino (VC), Latina, and Garigliano (CE)—in a single open weekend. For the Caorso plant, the largest of the group, two distinct tours are offered: the controlled zone, the delimited work environment where decommissioning activities take place, and the industrial area, the external part of the facility.
How the Visit Works
The visits, lasting about two hours, are guided by Sogin and Nucleco technicians, who explain step-by-step the dismantling operations, radiation protection, and the future of the National Repository for radioactive waste. It's a rare opportunity to understand, with data and directly on-site, an important chapter of Italy's industrial and energy history.
- Controlled zone: not accessible to minors, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with reduced mobility, for radiation protection reasons.
- Industrial area: also accessible to children aged six and over, when accompanied.
A Highly Requested Event
Over the years, Open Gate has become an anticipated event not only for the residents of Caorso and the province of Piacenza but also for curious individuals and enthusiasts from all over Italy. Participation is free, but places are limited (a maximum number of visitors per day per facility), and registration, done online on the Sogin website in the weeks prior, usually sells out well in advance, leading to long waiting lists.
The event is held under the patronage of the European Parliament and various Italian ministries, as well as the relevant Regions and Municipalities, including the Municipality of Caorso. Alongside the public open weekend, Sogin dedicates a day, Open Gate Community, to organized groups: schools, universities, associations, and local representatives.
Open Gate Caorso — edition 2026
The fifth edition of Open Gate confirmed the public's great interest: over 5,500 registrations in total, with approximately 3,097 participants expected over the weekend and nearly 1,950 people on the waiting list, plus around 500 institutional representatives, journalists, and participants in the Open Gate Community. The Caorso plant, like the Trino and Garigliano facilities, welcomed a maximum of about 380 visitors per day.
Registrations, opened on March 18, closed on April 26, reaching sold-out status at almost all sites. The two tour routes—controlled zone and industrial area—guided by Sogin and Nucleco technicians were confirmed.
Programme Open Gate Caorso 2026
Friday, May 15 – Open Gate Community
- Day reserved for organized groups: schools, universities, associations, and local representatives.
Saturday, May 16 & Sunday, May 17 – Public Opening
- Guided tours of the Caorso plant, by reservation, along two routes: controlled zone and industrial area.
- Duration of each visit: approximately two hours, with guidance from Sogin and Nucleco technicians.
- Maximum of approximately 380 visitors per day for the Caorso plant.
The initiative also involved the Trino (VC), Latina, and Garigliano (CE) plants simultaneously.
Highlights Open Gate Caorso 2026
Tour of the controlled zone of Italy's largest former nuclear power plant, accompanied by Sogin and Nucleco technicians, with explanations on dismantling and radioactive waste management. Record edition with over 5,500 registrations.
Prices Open Gate Caorso 2026
Practical information — Open Gate Caorso
Where
Caorso Nuclear Power Plant, located along the Po River, in the Municipality of Caorso (PC), Emilia-Romagna. The site is reachable by car from Piacenza in about 25 minutes; the nearest train station is Piacenza, from which you can continue by car or local transport.
Registration and Costs
Participation is free but requires mandatory booking. Registration is done online on Sogin's official website (www.sogin.it) in the weeks preceding the event and tends to sell out quickly. It's advisable to register as soon as registration opens.
Good to Know
A valid identity document is required to access the controlled zone; the tour is not open to minors, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with reduced mobility. The industrial area, however, is also accessible to children aged six and over, when accompanied. Updates on official social media channels: Instagram @opengate_sogin.
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Where does it take place — Open Gate Caorso
Centrale Nucleare di Caorso (impianto Sogin in dismissione)
Località Zerbio, 29012 Caorso