Kroměříž Observatory

Popular astronomy has a long tradition in Kroměříž. Between 1878 and 1915 the grammar school professor Nábělek worked here and gave public lectures on astronomy. In 1947 the amateur astronomer Čeněk Šiler built a private observatory in his yard. Construction of today's town observatory in Dolní Zahrady was started in 1968 by the enthusiast Josef Hudec, who completed the shell of the building almost single-handedly in 1971.

The dome and telescope from Šiler's observatory were moved to the new building. The telescope is still in use in the dome today, together with other, mostly portable instruments, which the astronomers also take to nearby villages for observing sessions. The observatory is run by the Kroměříž House of Culture (Dům kultury Kroměříž) and holds public observations as well as lectures for schools.