Oude Sterrewacht
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.
There are walk-in tours at the Old Observator…
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.
There are walk-in tours at the Old Observatory from Wednesday to Sunday. On this tour you first visit a telescope that scientists used to take photos of the universe more than 120 years ago. Then you visit the new art exhibition by Gerard Caris. His artworks are about a shape that we see at all scales in the universe, from cells to galaxies: the pentagon. Plan your visit at oudesterrewacht.nl!
Opening times
- The Old Observatory is temporarily closed until March 6, 2024.