Royal Observatory of Madrid
Royal Observatory of Madrid, Astronomical observatory in Cerro de San Blas, Madrid, Spain
The Royal Observatory stands at 697 meters above sea level, featuring neoclassical architecture with a central dome and symmetrical wings.
King Charles III commissioned the observatory in 1790, with architect Juan de Villanueva designing the main building as part of Madrid's scientific development.
The observatory holds over 6,000 books on astronomy and geography in its historic library, along with scientific instruments from the 18th century.
Visitors can join guided tours on weekends, lasting 90 minutes and requiring advance reservation through the National Geographic Institute website.
The facility contains a Foucault pendulum demonstrating Earth's rotation and houses two original Herschel telescopes from 1796.
Location: Madrid
Inception: 1790
Architects: Juan de Villanueva
Official opening: 1790
Elevation above the sea: 697 m
Part of: Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences
Website: https://astronomia.ign.es
GPS coordinates: 40.40814,-3.68711
Latest update: May 25, 2025 05:11
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