The regional authority is preparing the reconstruction of the observatory in Prostějov

Prostějov – The Olomouc Region is preparing the reconstruction of the observatory in Prostějov, focusing on both its interior and exterior. The regional council has already announced an architectural competition on how the observatory should look after modernization. Competition proposals must be submitted by September 13 at the latest. This was communicated to ČTK by regional councilor Jan Žůrek.

"The observatory is an atypical building, so I believe that the proposals submitted to the architectural competition will also represent original works that will give the observatory a modern and fresh appearance,” said Žůrek. According to him, architects can let their imagination run wild. The prepared proposal should include, for example, a new design for the planetarium, lecture hall, astronomical observatory, or the connection of the observatory with the exterior.

According to Žůrek, this is the first architectural competition according to the rules of the Czech Chamber of Architects that the Olomouc Region has organized since its inception. "The further design work will depend on the shape of the winning architectural proposal. It is a unique opportunity for architects because there is no other similar observatory in the region," said Žůrek.

The first astronomical observatory operated in Prostějov since 1949 on the roof of the current elementary school at Husovo Square. In 1961, a new observatory was opened, built in the middle of Kolářovy Sady in the western part of the city. Dozens of individuals, students, athletes, firefighters, and company employees participated in its construction at that time.

The observatory is equipped with astronomical telescopes for safe daytime observation of the Sun as well as for evening observations of the Moon, planets, stars, galaxies, and space stations. The staff of the observatory also engages in educational activities, organizing astronomical lectures, exhibitions, film, music, and literary evenings. An automatic meteorological station operates at the observatory.