Sitges Tourism

Don't Know the Garraf Park's Astronomical Observatory?

There are more than enough reasons to visit the Garraf Park. But there is one that, possibly because it's not well known, deserves to be highlighted: its Astronomical Observatory. It is a fully equipped facility that, in a unique setting, offers educational and recreational sessions, perfect for groups, couples or families.

What makes the Garraf Observatory different? Well, there are two reasons that make it unique and one of the best sensorial experiences for your trip or getaway to Sitges. On the one hand, its location, in the heart the Garraf Park, a spectacle in itself and that guarantees a 'dark sky' with very little light pollution. However, we are probably talking about the closest observatory to inhabited areas offering these astronomical observation conditions -Sitges is just over 30 minutes away by car.

 

The other differential element of the Garraf Park’s Astronomical Observatory is its dimensions: it is rather small. But Carles Schnabel, who manages the facility together with Rat Parellada, believes that the size, far from being a problem, "is a clear advantage, because by holding sessions with a maximum of 24 people, which we also divide into two groups, we achieve a more direct interaction and a more personalized treatment”.

 

Carles and Rat have been managing this observatory for more than a decade. And they agree that what they like most is that, after a visit, the participants tell them that "they finally get it, that now they understand what's up there and that from now on they'll look at the sky in a different way".

 

Observatori Garraf

 

The dome is undoubtedly the crown jewel at the Garraf Park’s Astronomical Observatory. With its telescope, it's the place where visitors can see, in situ, and in real time, what's up there and what's happening in the starry sky. Previously, on the ground floor, a digital planetarium allows visitors to get a detailed and didactic preview of what will be seen later on in the dome. These visits to the planetarium and then to the dome are the main activity organized by the Observatory. You can see dates and prices on their website. And remember that places are limited, so don't put it off too long.

 

Other activities offered by Carles and Rat are the ‘Art i Cel’ – Art and Sky- workshops where they collaborate with Marta Arañó, who paints with wine and offers a related workshop, where there is room for tastings and astronomical observations. This activity is more focused on friends and couples.

 

A la carte sessions can also be organized for groups -available in English and German. And this category includes birthday celebrations, where you can visualize what the sky was like on the day you were born in the digital planetarium and then compare it with the sky on the day of your visit, and also the activity 'Are you going on a trip', where those who are interested can anticipate and discover what the sky will be like in the place where they're going on vacation, comparing it later with the sky over the Garraf Park.

 

Whatever activity you choose, the Garraf Observatory is always a good plan. A fantastic plan, to be more precise ;)

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