An observatory in Zirkstraat in the centre of Antwerp is being completely renovated and officially reopened at the weekend. It has been in existence for a century but has not been used for the last 20 years. People’s Observatory Urania now wants to change that. The renovation will ensure that from 2024 onwards the general public will be able to look at the stars and planets here.
From next spring anyone in the centre of Antwerp wanting to look at the stars, moon and some of the planets will be able to do so in the renovated observatory in Zirkstraat. "It is more than a hundred years old, but has not been used for about 20 years," says the director of People’s Observatory Urania Marc Van den Broeck.
"We are now renovating the entire observatory, a renovation which includes two new classic telescopes. They are old models, but the quality of the images is fantastic."
The observatory is being named after a forgotten Antwerp astronomer: Michiel Coignet. "He lived some 400 years ago and was very well known in the city but has since been largely forgotten. By naming our observatory after him, we want to commemorate Coignet and reinstate him."
Public at large welcome in 2024
Although the observatory was officially opened at the weekend, it is not yet welcoming visitors. "The renovation is still in full swing and will be finished by the spring," says Van den Broeck. "People will then also be able to come and look at the stars, planets and moon in the observatory. In the summer, we also want to combine this with carillon music, at this very unique spot in the city centre."
"A condition is of course that the weather is good, because without clear skies there is not much to see," Van den Broeck adds. You can find information about viewing sessions on Urania's website and their social media. "Tickets, which cost three euros, will have to be booked. Places are limited, we only allow 10 people into the observatory at time."