Tartu tähetorn

About the museum

Astronomers of the University of Tartu worked in two temporary observation sites in the city in 1805–1809. Construction of a permanent observatory began on Toome Hill in 1808, on the ruins of the medieval bishop’s castle, and the building was completed in 1810.

The observatory’s most famous period began when Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve became an astronomer-observer in 1813; he directed the observatory from 1820 to 1839. In 1824 a Fraunhofer refractor with a nine-inch objective lens reached Tartu; it was then the largest and best lens telescope in the world. In 1837 Struve published the results of the first measurement of a star’s distance. The observatory is one of the measuring points of the Struve Geodetic Arc, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Later Johann Heinrich Mädler and Ernst Öpik, among others, worked here; Öpik was the first to determine the distance of the Andromeda Nebula.

In 1964 the Tõravere Observatory was completed and the astronomers moved there; the last scientific observation at the tower was made in 1985. The building returned to the University of Tartu in 1996 and, after a thorough renovation in 2009–2010, opened as a museum in April 2011. The tower’s exhibitions are part of the University of Tartu Museum.

Highlights

• The story of the Fraunhofer lens telescope and Struve’s work
• Measuring point of the Struve Geodetic Arc, on the UNESCO World Heritage List
• Exhibitions on astronomy, geodesy and seismology
• Planetarium show (on request)
• View of Tartu city centre from the tower balcony

Permanent exhibition

• Teekond maailmaruumi – Permanent exhibition on astronomy, geodesy and seismology in the observatory’s exhibition rooms.

Founded

1971

Operated by

Tartu Ülikooli muuseum

Admission & discounts

Also free: students and staff of the University of Tartu, staff of Estonian museums, holders of an ICOM membership card, and holders of a museum card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is a steep natural slope in front of the entrance (gradient up to 17%). The building has no lift: a narrow stone staircase leads to the planetarium, the tower and the balcony. There are no thresholds at the main door and at the entrances to the east and west halls; the three largest exhibition halls (the east hall, the clock room and the west hall) are on the first floor. There is no accessible toilet. The museum can be visited with a trained guide dog. The nearest disabled parking space is about 100 m away, in front of Lossi 36; by prior arrangement you can park in the observatory staff car park.

Kids & families

A pushchair can be left in the foyer; pushchairs may be taken through the exhibition rooms.

Getting there & parking

The observatory is in the centre of Tartu, on the eastern slope of Toome Hill.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Outerwear can be left on the hooks in the stairwell or in the basement lockers.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit