Kremsmünster Observatory

Kremsmünster Observatory rises as a 49-metre tower above the Benedictine monastery of Kremsmünster in Upper Austria, one of Europe's earliest purpose-built scientific research buildings.

About Kremsmünster Observatory

Known as the mathematical tower, the nine-storey structure was built between 1748 and 1758 and is often described as the first high-rise building in Europe constructed for scientific research. Its design leads visitors upward floor by floor, from minerals and fossils through the cosmos to a chapel at its summit, reflecting a progression toward the divine.

History

The tower has hosted continuous meteorological recording since 1763, making it one of the oldest weather stations in the world. Its most notable director, Placidus Fixlmillner, led the observatory from 1762 to 1791 and became known for his studies of the newly discovered planet Uranus.

Location & getting there

The observatory stands in the town of Kremsmünster in Upper Austria, at an elevation of 382 metres, within the grounds of the historic Benedictine monastery.

Visiting Kremsmünster Observatory

The tower now serves as a public education centre displaying its historical instruments. Check the official website for current opening hours and tour information before visiting.

See your named star from here

Astronomers here have spent over two and a half centuries tracking the sky from this tower. Name your own star with Star Register and find it in our star catalogue.