Oude Sterrewacht
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The Old Observatory of Leiden: the oldest existing university observatory in the world.
The Leiden Observatory was built in the nineteenth century on the edge of the city opposite the Witte Singel and adjacent to the Hortus botanicus Leiden. The astronomers left it in 1974 for new buildings in the BioScience Park. The building on the Singel, since then called Old Observatory, was then used as temporary housing for various university groups. After a thorough restoration (2009-2011), the building is now in use by the Faculty of Law. The telescopes and domes are used by students and volunteers who open them to the public during special open days, lectures and tours.
From Tuesday through Sunday, there are walk-i…
The Leiden Observatory was built in the nineteenth century on the edge of the city opposite the Witte Singel and adjacent to the Hortus botanicus Leiden. The astronomers left it in 1974 for new buildings in the BioScience Park. The building on the Singel, since then called Old Observatory, was then used as temporary housing for various university groups. After a thorough restoration (2009-2011), the building is now in use by the Faculty of Law. The telescopes and domes are used by students and volunteers who open them to the public during special open days, lectures and tours.
From Tuesday through Sunday, there are walk-in tours at the Old Observatory. On this tour, you will first visit a telescope that scientists used to take pictures of the universe over 120 years ago. Then you visit the exhibition space filled with all kinds of astronomical photographs, made by amateurs of the Leiden astronomical society WLS. What a difference from the old days; nowadays you can take beautiful pictures even with your own telescope! Plan your visit at oudesterrewacht.nl.