Štefánik's Observatory

Štefánik's Observatory has watched over Prague from Petřín Hill since 1928, its three domes a landmark on the wooded hilltop above the city centre. Named after Slovak astronomer and statesman Milan Rastislav Štefánik, it is sometimes simply called the Prague Observatory.

About Štefánik's Observatory

The observatory was built by the Czech Astronomical Society, founded in 1917, and today focuses on popularising astronomy and the natural sciences for the public through lectures, telescope evenings and school programmes. Along with Ďáblice Observatory, it is one of Prague's two public observatories, both now run under the city's Planetum organisation.

History

Opened in 1928 on Petřín Hill at around 321 metres above sea level, the observatory takes its name from Milan Rastislav Štefánik, the Slovak astronomer, soldier and diplomat who helped found Czechoslovakia. Its centrepiece instrument, a Zeiss double-refractor astrograph dating from 1905, was purchased from the estate of the Viennese selenographer Rudolf König with funding provided by Tomáš Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia. The building was damaged during Second World War bombardment and underwent extensive renovation in the 1970s.

Telescopes & research

Alongside the historic 1905 Zeiss astrograph, the observatory's three domes and its observation hall with a retractable roof are used mainly for public and educational observing today, giving visitors direct access to an instrument with almost a century of history.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits on Petřín Hill in the heart of Prague, Czech Republic, reachable via the hill's paths or funicular from the city centre below. At 321 metres above sea level, it offers sweeping views over the historic city alongside its astronomical facilities.

Visiting Štefánik's Observatory

Štefánik's Observatory is open to the public year-round for daytime and evening observing sessions, weather permitting. As hours vary by season, check the official website or call ahead before visiting.

See your named star from here

An observatory with a century-old Zeiss astrograph is a fitting place to look for a named star's coordinates. If you've named a star for someone, browse the star catalogue and plan an evening on Petřín Hill to find it.