Sonnenborgh Observatory

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About This Museum

Perched atop a historic city bastion in Utrecht, the Sonnenborgh Observatory feels more like a secret garden for the cosmos than a typical museum. This isn't just a place to look at old instruments; it's a working 19th-century observatory where you can stand in the same spots astronomers once mapped the heavens. Its intimate rooms and domes hum with the quiet history of discovery. Today, that legacy continues through its active public stargazing nights, making the past thrillingly present.

Collection Highlights

The heart of Sonnenborgh is its collection of beautiful, functional telescopes, including the majestic Merz telescope from 1863. You'll also find fascinating exhibits on celestial navigation and meteorology, fields that were pioneered right here. Don't miss the chance to see sunspots dance across a screen during a daytime solar viewing session.

Visitor Information

Booking ahead for one of their famous evening stargazing sessions is an absolute mustβ€”there's nothing quite like seeing Saturn's rings for yourself through a classic telescope. During the day, you can explore the exhibitions at your own pace, and the view from the bastion walls over Utrecht is worth the trip alone.

Architecture & Building

A striking neoclassical building seamlessly integrated into one of Utrecht's original 16th-century city wall fortifications, crowned with distinctive rotating observation domes.

Contact & Location

Address: Sterrenwacht Sonnenborgh, 2, Zonnenburg, Nieuwegracht-Oost, Binnenstad Woongebied, Binnenstad, Utrecht, Nederland, 3512 NL, Nederland

Phone: +31 30 820 1420

Website: Visit Website