Open today from 10-21
The observatory 18-21
The Observatory at the top of the Round Tower

The Observatory

Europe's Oldest Observatory

At the top of the Round Tower you find the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. King Christian IV erected the tower to enable astronomers from the University of Copenhagen to gaze at the stars far above the lights and the smoke of the city. For centuries, it was the centre of Danish astronomy and the point of departure for meteorological observations and surveying.

The Observatory has undergone several changes throughout history. The present Observatory dates from 1929. The same year the refracting telescope arrived, allowing a magnification between 80 and 450 times. During winter, the Observatory is manned Tuesday and Wednesday evenings but you are always welcome to look inside and let your thoughts wander across the Universe.

Nov.-Mar.
28.-27.
Astronomy / The Observatory
Siegfried Wagners buste af Tycho Brahe
One of the almanacs from 1700 with the royal cipher of Christian V
The bombardment of Copenhagen 1807. Museum of Copenhagen
View from the Round Tower
The Observatory with the Greenlandic flag