Observing the sunset

Nowadays, the National Observatory of Athens is located on hill outside the city, in Penteli.

The buildings there are not as pretty as the old one but the view is amazing. Quite ironic for an astronomer to watch the sunset while leaving instead of going to work!

Even the new site is inappropriate for observations but nevertheless, the 62.5cm Newall telescope is used for public outreach and educational purposes.
In case you would like to visit during one of the open nights, here is the site :)

Observatory in the centre of Athens

Observatories are built on the outskirts of cities. So, the National Observatory of Athens was built in 1847 on the Nymphs' hill, just below the Acropolis. Which, 160 years later, is deep downtown.

This is another piece of Art by Theophilus Hansen, the man behind some of the most beautiful buildings of modern Greece.

The National Observatory is the oldest research insitute of the Balkans.