Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium "Nicolaus Copernicus"

The Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium is a complex equipped with two observation domes containing telescopes and a projection hall displaying over 5,500 stars. The facility offers educational spaces and viewing areas designed for visitors interested in astronomy and space exploration.

The facility opened on May 22, 1968, and was Bulgaria's first astronomical complex of its kind. Its creation coincided with a period of growing global fascination with space exploration and scientific discovery.

The entrance monument depicts Nicolaus Copernicus, designed by professors L. Dalchev and P. Atanasov, honoring his groundbreaking work in astronomy. The site has become a gathering place where people come together to explore and understand the cosmos.

The location is easy to navigate and clearly marked pathways lead to both observation areas and the planetarium hall. Visitors should plan for adequate time to explore, especially if they want to enjoy the views from surrounding terraces and observe the telescope alignments.

The tower houses a Foucault pendulum, the only installation of its kind in the Balkan Peninsula, demonstrating Earth's rotation through continuous physical motion. Visitors can watch this scientific phenomenon in action and gain insight into how the planet actually spins.

Location: Varna Municipality

Inception: May 22, 1968

Elevation above the sea: 14 m

Website: http://astro-varna.com

GPS coordinates: 43.20254,27.92273

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21