Observatories Vrbov

The small foothill village of Stará Lesná in the Kežmarok district is not only a popular excursion destination for visitors to the Vysoké Tatry, but also the scene of extensive astronomical and meteorological research. The Observatórium Stará Lesná observatory, belonging to the Astronomický ústav SAV, is located here. It focuses on the research of interplanetary matter and stars, including our closest star, the Sun. Part of the observatory complex is the meteorological station of the Geofyzikálny ústav SAV and the astronomický náučný chodník. Alongside a walk in the foothills of the Vysoké Tatry, you can thus learn more about the Sun, planets, galaxies, the universe, and the Astronomický ústav SAV itself. If you have a young space enthusiast at home or are intensely interested in astronomy yourself, a trip to Stará Lesná should certainly not be missed.

The Observatórium Stará Lesná was founded in 1979. It consists of a complex featuring two domes and one special building housing reflectors for stellar photometry, a solar telescope for observing the solar surface, and a small refractor for drawing sunspots. The observatory lies at an altitude of 785 m a. s. l. and is open to visitors during scheduled open days and during the Týždeň vedy a techniky.

Information about the institute's instrumental technology and space bodies is available to both large and small astronomy enthusiasts on the local education trail. The trail with 13 information panels begins at the main building of the institute and leads to the last dome with telescopes. During a pleasant walk, you will learn a whole spectrum of interesting facts about the Astronomický ústav SAV, the Sun, planets, the Moon, comets and asteroids, meteors and meteorites, stars, galaxies, the universe, the horizontal solar telescope, as well as the Geofyzikálny ústav SAV, which has its meteorological observatory here. Will you let yourself be invited for a walk through the wonders of the universe?

The Meteorologické observatórium v Starej Lesnej focuses on the monitoring of climate, air quality, and precipitation. They measure temperature, humidity, and air pressure, precipitation, snow cover depth, wind direction and speed, components of solar radiation, radiation balance, and soil temperature and humidity.

If during your holiday in the Tatry you feel like discovering new things and visiting unconventional places, be sure to visit Stará Lesná as well. You can combine a trip to the observatory and a walk along the educational trail with a visit to the Black Stork golf resort in nearby Veľká Lomnica or with swimming in the popular Aqua Relax Titris in one of the largest Tatra settlements, Tatranská Lomnica. And once you are there, you might feel like visiting our other Astronomické observatórium Skalnaté pleso as well. The cable car from Tatranská Lomnica will comfortably take you there. There is truly no shortage of unconventional places in the Tatry. Book your accommodation near the Observatórium Stará Lesná right now and come spend your holiday here. Accommodation in Stará Lesná will guaranteed not disappoint you with its offer.

A cable car trip to Lomnický štít is a pinnacle adrenaline experience for many visitors to the Tatry. For most of us, it is unimaginable that people come to this place regularly to work here daily. They are the employees of Observatórium Lomnický štít, the highest-located workplace in Slovakia. The observatory is situated at an altitude of 2,632 m above sea level, on the summit of the second-highest peak of Vysoké Tatry. A cable car leads here from Skalnaté pleso. The starting point is Tatranská Lomnica, one of the largest settlements in Vysoké Tatry. Truly fit hikers are also offered an incredible hiking experience here: a climb up Lomničák accompanied by mountain guides.

Observatórium Lomnický štít was established between 1957 and 1962 as a result of a global initiative during the International Geophysical Year. Since that period, it has served for meteorological measurements and observations by Slovenský hydrometeorologický ústav. In 1964, Astronomický ústav SAV also began conducting its research here. The main object of observation for astronomers on Lomnický štít is our largest star, the Sun. The observatory is among the world's rarities, as systematic research into the solar emission lines takes place here. Excursions to this unique workplace of the astronomical institute are possible only during open house days, which are usually held twice a year. During this time, anyone can peek into the premises of our highest-located observatory and, in case of good visibility, observe the starry sky up close.

Lomnický štít is a major attraction for tourists. In addition to a wonderful panoramic view of Malá Studená dolina, the five Spišské plesá tarns, Ľadový štít, Gerlach, Vysoká, Rysy, and Kriváň, you can also enjoy a delicious coffee here in the stylish café Dedo. Have you ever drunk coffee at an altitude of 2,634 m above sea level? They will be happy to prepare one for you on Lomnický štít. A night spent under the starry sky on the summit of Lomničák is undoubtedly a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, the price of such an adventure is unaffordable for most visitors, so they prefer accommodation near Observatórium Lomnický štít. Accommodation in Tatranská Lomnica offers a wide range of guesthouses and apartments, as well as pleasant mountain huts and wooden chalets. Choose the right one for yourself and get a good night's sleep, because every day in the Tatry brings new adventures.

On the way down from Lomnický štít, you will step off the cable car at the picturesque Skalnaté pleso spreading at its foot. Here, in addition to a pleasant walk around the moraine tarn and a beautiful view, you can enjoy a stay with your little ones in the popular Svištia krajinka. Afterward, the cable car will comfortably take you back to Tatranská Lomnica. Do not leave the Tatry just yet, though. Right in Tatranská Lomnica, they have prepared a great ride for you on Bobová dráha Tatrabob. Enjoy the adrenaline under the Tatras' peaks.

A magnet for tourists visiting the Tatras is the moraine lake lying at the foot of the impressive Lomnický štít. Skalnaté pleso boasts an intersection of picturesque natural scenery and breathtaking views. It is precisely within this unique natural composition that the oldest Slovak observatory found its home,  the Astronomické observatórium Skalnaté pleso observatory. The dominant two-dome structure is located just a few meters from the lake itself and the cable car station. The direct access point to this site is one of the largest settlements in High Tatras, the tourist-favorite Tatranská Lomnica.

The Astronomické observatórium Skalnaté pleso was founded in 1943. Its founder, Dr. Antonín Bečvář, served as its first director. The observatory is located in a two-story building at an altitude of 1,786 m above sea level. The structure catches the eye with its cylindrical tower and two opening domes. Housed right here are two telescopes designed for observing planets, comets, Solar System objects, and stellar bodies. In addition, the observatory building houses a meteorological station belonging to the Geophysical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV). Visitors only have access during organized open days.

An interesting fact is that asteroid 2619 was named after the Astronomické observatórium Skalnaté pleso. It received the name Skalnaté pleso. Since 1982, when the naming of the minor planet was recognized by the International Astronomical Union, Skalnaté pleso is no longer found only in our high mountains, but also somewhere in the orbit of the Sun, at a minimum distance of 279 million km from Earth.

While a journey to the asteroid Skalnaté pleso is a thing of the distant future, you can comfortably ride up to our terrestrial Skalnaté pleso by cable car from Tatranská Lomnica. Hiking enthusiasts can set off on an ascent along a moderately challenging trail lasting 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Be sure to include a trip to the Astronomické observatórium Skalnaté pleso in your Tatra holiday itinerary. Your reward will be not only the opportunity to get into close proximity to a world-renowned observatory, but also a magnificent view of the Tatra valleys. And if you really do not feel like staying grounded, board the cable car leading all the way up to Lomnický štít and look at the Tatras from the perspective of their second highest giant. There is certainly no shortage of experiences at Skalnaté pleso and in the surrounding area. Book your accommodation near Astronomické observatórium Skalnaté pleso and set off on your holiday in the Tatras. Picturesque apartments, affordable guesthouses, or stylish cottages. You will find all of this in the diverse range of accommodation in Tatranská Lomnica. Choose the right one for you, pack high-quality hiking boots, and you are ready to go.