Hvezdáreň Rožňava
Since time immemorial, people have been fascinated by stars and unexpected phenomena in the night sky. They watched supernova explosions, fixed their gaze on glowing stars, or sought to learn everything about distant, unexplored planets. Are you one of those people as well? Catch a glimpse into the secrets of the universe thanks to observations at Hvezdáreň v Rožňave. Weather permitting, these take place every Thursday.
From approximately the 15th century, people attempted to journey after the mysteries of the universe. In the town of Rožňava, however, people managed to peek into space only several centuries later. The first observatory was built on the southern slope of the calvary on Lesná ulica street in 1966, when the plot of land of the current observatory was handed over to an astronomy club to build an observation station. Since 1969, the local observatory became an independent institution named Ľudová hvezdáreň Uránia. Gradually, technical achievements were purchased for the observatory's equipment, such as a Newton-type telescope with dimensions of 280/2250, a radiotelescope, a weather station, or a refractor.
Hvezdáreň v Rožňave consists of a dome, a meteorological station, a rain gauge, an observation station with a sliding roof, a sliding observation station, a sundial, a solar furnace, and an all-sky camera. Its equipment also includes various types of telescopes, thanks to which all celestial bodies in the sky can be observed. Since 2009, the observatory has been entrusted to the property management of the Gemerské osvetové stredisko (GOS). Its activities were integrated into the organizational structure of GOS, and an astronomy section was created, which primarily fulfills tasks in the fields of popular education, professional research, observation, and advisory activities.
During Thursday evenings, the Rožňava observatory organizes popular evening sky observations for its visitors. These take place after dark only in case of favorable weather. As part of an evening excursion during a group visit, you can arrange a lecture on a pre-selected topic. On sunny days, thanks to a portable chromospheric telescope or telescopes with a solar filter or projection in the observatory dome, you can see all the way to the Sun, thousands of kilometers away. The observatory is a sought-after location for students, teachers, and the general public. Within its portfolio, it is possible to book a professional lecture on a pre-stated topic and thus learn more about this infinite cosmic space. Observatory staff also carry out outreach observations in schools and preschool facilities. The observatory's activities also include organizing the progressive knowledge competition "Čo vieš o hviezdach" (What Do You Know About Stars?) and art competitions "Vesmír očami detí" (The Universe Through Children's Eyes) and "Astrofilm". Extracurricular activities include uniting astronomy enthusiasts in the Astroklub affiliated with the observatory.
The observatory strives to appeal to every visitor. However, if you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, visit other attractions in Rožňava. The Gemer region is famous for its mining activity. You will learn about the history of mining during a visit to the historical exhibition of the Banícke múzeum. A somewhat more interesting experience will be offered to you by Banícke múzeum Rožňava. On its premises, you can ride a mining train or view two rare technical uniques, a Škoda Sentinel steam truck and an Aveling & Porter steam roller. On summer days, when the temperature exceeds 25 °C, it is worth heading to the pools at Kúpalisko Rožňava to cool off your sun-heated bodies. After all, swimming is great for every age category. Ending the day can be with a glass of wine at your pre-booked accommodation or in a tent near Brzotínsky rybník.
We believe that, also thanks to our accommodation near Hvezdáreň v Rožňave, you will be able to enjoy a great stay of any kind. Whether you come for a business trip or to relax here during the summer with your family, on our portal you can find accommodation that will meet all your requirements. Will you choose apartments in Rožňava or a room in a hotel? The decision is entirely yours.
