Rundetårn - Copenhagen, Denmark - Astronomical Observatories on Waymarking.com

Building an observatory was the idea of King Christian IV and it became the first part of the 'Trinitatis Complex'. This was made up of the observatory tower, university library and church all combined on one site. The library was above the church and accessed via the tower.

Uniquely access to the top of the tower is via a 7.5-turn helical corridor leading to the top. This was built so that horse drawn carts could carry the astronomical equipment to the top, and also carry the library books up and down the tower.

These days some kids love to try and run up the corridor to the top. Even more of them love to run down it and many more are successful at this than those who make it to the top!

The observatory had become out of date by the 19th century and because of its design could not be expanded for large telescopes. A new observatory was then built on a new site in 1861.

The tower has an observation deck, open to the public all year round at a height of 114 feet (34.8 metres). The modern observatory is at the top of this and is open to the public from mid-October to mid-March, and on limited occasions in the summer. Built in 1929 for amateur astronomers, it is 7 metres high and has a diameter of 6 metres. Access to it is via a short narrow winding staircase from the observation deck.

Observatory Purpose: Research Optical / Infrared Telescopes?: No Radio Telescopes?: No Solar Telescopes?: No Open to the Public?: Yes Is this a Club Observatory?: No Public Viewing Allowed?: Yes Active Observatory?: Retired Number of Telescopes or Antennas: 1 Site URL: [Web Link] Year Dedicated or Opened: 1642 Altitude (meters): 39

Visit Instructions:
Note the time of day of your visit, and your own photo of your favorite part of the observatory. This might be the view from the observatory, picture of your favorite building or favorite exhibit. (Be mindful of flash photography rules!)

If you participated in an observing session, let everyone know what you saw!

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