Info
Level: easyDuration: 3 - 4.5 hours
Distance: 0 - 2 km
Group size: 3 – 15 people
Where: Hvar bus station
When: Starts every day about half hour before the sunset (May: 7:30 PM, June & July: 8:00 PM, August: 7:30 PM, September: 6:30 PM), however we try to be flexible as much is possible and the exact time can be arranged with you. Tour is available every day (for bookings with 4 or more people) or on Thursdays (for bookings with less than 4 people).
Price: 60 EUR per person (without the tour options)
Highlights
- Enjoy the breathtaking sunset and wonderful view from the hill above the Hvar
- Learn something about the professional astronomical observatory that is situated in Hvar
- Experience the wonders of the Hvar night sky (the moon, planets, galaxies, binary stars) through our telescope, guided by an expert in the astronomy
Description
Did you know that because of the favorable weather and clear, unpolluted skies, the largest professional astronomical observatory in Croatia is situated above the town of Hvar? The Hvar Observatory was founded in 1972 through collaboration between the Faculty of Geodesy of the University of Zagreb and the Astronomical Institute of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Ondrejov. Today, all four telescopes installed at Hvar Observatory are still regularly used for the scientific research. Two telescopes (13 and 20cm refractors) are employed for solar observations to regularly monitor the solar activity and other two telescopes (with 65 cm and 1-meter mirrors) are used to observe variable stars. The Austro-Croatian Telescope with a 1-meter mirror installed in the Hvar Observatory is the one of two largest astronomical telescopes in Croatia (another 1-meter telescope is situated in Tician, Istria).
The tour starts at the bus station in the town of Hvar. From there we drive about ten minutes (4 km) to the top of a small hill where Panorama Restaurant is situated. It is a perfect spot from which to enjoy the beautiful view of the Pakleni islands, Vis, and the western part of the island of Hvar. It is also a great place to take the photos and wait for the unforgettable sunset, which is simply remarkable from here. After sunset, your guide will give you a short presentation (20-30 min) about astronomy in Hvar and some information about the objects that will be later observed with the telescope. Finally, when it gets completely dark outside, you'll be able to experience the awesome Hvar night sky using the telescope that will be prepared for stargazing. Depending on the phase of the moon, weather conditions, and the season of the year, the guide will pick the most attractive and best objects to observe, such as the moon, planets, globular clusters, double stars, galaxies, or planetary nebulas. After one hour of observing the night sky with the telescope, the tour ends with organized transportation from Panorama restaurant to the Hvar bus station.
Tour options
Hiking from Hvar to Panorama restaurant with a stop to visit Hvar fortress "Fortica" (price 35 EUR per person, +1.5 hour)- Climb from Hvar town to the famous Hvar fortress "Fortica" (20 min)
- Visit the fortress and enjoy the beautiful view of the town of Hvar (40min, entrance included in the price)
- Hike from the fortress to Panorama restaurant (30 min)
- Note: in the case of this option, the start of the tour is one and half hour earlier
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