Marina Towers Observatory, Maritime research observatory in Swansea, Wales
Marina Towers Observatory comprises two connected towers: a white sea-facing structure topped with a dome and an orange cylindrical access tower standing beside it. The building sits in Swansea's Maritime Quarter and offers unobstructed views across the coastal waters from above.
The structure opened in 1993 and housed Wales's largest optical telescope, a 50-centimeter Shafer-Maksutov instrument dedicated to astronomical research. After 2010 the telescope ceased operation and the facility transitioned to a different purpose.
The spiral staircase displays a solar system model where each step represents 74 million kilometers from the Sun to Pluto, lit by a colored glass roof above. This artistic feature blends science and craftsmanship in a way visitors discover while climbing.
The building transformed in 2022 into a cafe and bar where visitors can enjoy food and drinks. It remains easily accessible from the Maritime Quarter and provides views of Swansea's coastline from its elevated position.
The original observatory's dome rotated using a mixture of water and oil, allowing extremely smooth movement for telescope observations. This ingenious engineering solution made aiming at the sky remarkably fluid and precise.
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