Observatory of Strasbourg, Astronomical observatory and museum in central Strasbourg, France
The observatory building features a Greek cross layout with a 34-ton iron cupola and four pediments depicting Dawn, Sun, Moon, and Aurora Borealis.
The observatory opened in 1881 during the German Empire period, housing a 50-centimeter Repsold refractor telescope that was the largest in Germany at that time.
The facility maintains the Centre de Données Astronomiques de Strasbourg, which collects and distributes astronomical data from observatories across the world.
The observatory museum displays historical astronomical instruments in the basement area called Crypte aux étoiles, with regular guided tours on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Located within the University of Strasbourg botanical garden, the observatory operates at 142 meters elevation with a telescope of 487 millimeters diameter.
Location: Strasbourg
Inception: 1881
Official opening: September 22, 1881
Elevation above the sea: 142 m
Address: 11 Rue de l'université 67000
Email: contact@astro.unistra.fr
Website: http://astro.u-strasbg.fr
GPS coordinates: 48.58333,7.76806
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:45
In Strasbourg, each step spans several centuries. One moves from an old medieval alley with half-timbered houses to a modern glass building representing Europe's present. The cathedral has watched over the city for a thousand years; the banks of the Rhine tell of an openly lived modernity that looks towards Germany. The city blends the sound of bells with the noise of streetcars, the aroma of gingerbread with the glass of European institutions. Between museums, bridges, parks, and markets, Strasbourg combines remembrance and activity: it is observed, but also experienced. Here are some places that shape it, from Gothic to steel design, from the silence of churches to the liveliness of terraces.
Alsace displays its heritage through castles, museums, and gardens. The region features nature trails in the Vosges, botanical collections, and medieval fortresses. Visitors find historic wine cellars, traditional village squares, and an astronomical observatory. The industrial past reflects in textile museums.
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