Skinakas Observatory

Skinakas Observatory is a research facility housing three telescopes at 1750 meters elevation on Mount Psiloritis. The main instrument is a 1.3-meter telescope configured for diverse astronomical observations.

The University of Crete and the Foundation for Research and Technology established the facility in 1984, with scientific operations commencing in 1986. This founding made Crete a key center for astronomical research in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The site holds deep roots in ancient mythology and sits near Ideon Andron cave, where Zeus is said to have spent his childhood according to Greek tradition. Visitors feel this mythological connection as they look out across landscapes that have held these stories for thousands of years.

Access is via a paved mountain road from Heraklion, and the site can be visited during favorable weather conditions. Guided visits and telescope viewing sessions happen during select periods between June and September.

The facility conducts coordinated observations in partnership with the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, working with orbital X-ray telescopes like XMM-Newton. This international collaboration allows simultaneous studies of cosmic events from this mountain location alongside space-based instruments.

Inception: 1984

Official opening: April 12, 1986

Elevation above the sea: 1,750 m

Website: http://skinakas.physics.uoc.gr

GPS coordinates: 35.21180,24.89750

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:47