National Observatory of Athens (Thissio Visitor Center)

Activities

What to do while you're here

Visitors have the opportunity to visit the historic Sinas building, the first building of the National Observatory in Athens, situated on the hill of the Nymphs, just across from the Acropolis and next to the hill of Pnyx. Founded on 1842 and designed by the famous Danish architect Theophil Hansen, Sinas building hosts the meridian telescope of the National Observatory, supporting time measurement service for the Greek state. There we also find the astronomical library of the observatory with numerous scientific volumes dating back to the 16th century as well as a collection of historic scientific instruments dating back to the 19th century and an operational model of the Antikythera Mechanism. Visits include observation (weather permitted) through Doridis telescope, a 1902 40cm refractor placed on the hill of Pnyx.