Písečný vrch and the Observatory

Písečný vrch, or Sand Hill, 273 metres high, has a misleading name: this striking rock on the eastern edge of the town is not made of sandstone, but of quartz porphyry. Geologists use this term for igneous rocks with large crystals of feldspar or quartz; porphyry has a characteristic red colour. Together with Doubravská hora, “Písečák” forms the northern tip of the České středohoří, once an active volcanic area. Today the hill is protected as a natural monument, and with the neighbouring overgrown orchard it is a pleasant place for walks with many views of Teplice.

After the Second World War, an amateur astronomy club was formed in Teplice, which met in the House of Culture or in the museum. The astronomers soon began to look for the best place for a future observatory, and they chose Písečný vrch. It suited the purpose because it was far from disturbing sources of light at that time, and at the same time easy to reach. Construction began at the end of 1956 as part of the so-called Action Z, where Z stands for “zvelebení”, meaning improvement. This was the way smaller public buildings were put up under socialism, by volunteer work brigades. The observatory building was ready for use in March 1963. It opened to the public with an observation of a partial eclipse of the Moon.

Since 1972, a branch in Most, on Hněvín hill, named after the important Czech astronomer Dr. Antonín Bečvář, has been an integral part of the Teplice observatory. In their research, the Teplice astronomers observe occultations of stars by the Moon and by asteroids.

The observatory in Teplice is open to the public every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, whatever the weather. The time of the evening observations changes during the year. You can find details of the opening hours on the website www.hapteplice.cz. The planetarium is not here, but by the primary school in Koperníkova Street, and it is open every Wednesday and Sunday. Admission to both is only a token fee.