Scultetus Observatory (Scultetus-Sternwarte), Görlitz

The astronomical traditions of Görlitz date back to the Renaissance. The clocks at Untermarkt, the house of Bartholomäus Scultetus in Peterstraße and above all the Gymnasium Augustum at Klosterplatz are an evidence of this. The tower there had housed an observatory since 1856. It was moved to Görlitz-Biesnitz, not far from the Landeskrone, in 1971. An observatory with planetarium was built here between 1967 and 1989. It is the only one in Lower Silesia and one of the largest in Saxony.

The Scultetus Observatory in Görlitz has extensive observing equipment in two observation domes and houses, the most impressive piece of equipment is a 40 cm reflecting telescope with a length of two metres. The heart of the facility is the planetarium, under whose 8 m dome over 80 people can be seated. Visitors are always fascinated by the brilliance of the artificial starry sky. Smaller groups in particular experience an atmospheric, individual atmosphere. During the demonstration, visitors can address the lecturer directly and thus learn interesting facts about the sun, moon, planets and constellations in an easy-to-understand way, regardless of the weather. Of course, visitors are also informed about the astronomical sights of the city, from the clocks to the Meridianstein (meridian stone.)