Pulkovo Observatory Guided Tours
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8 (812) 946-59-15
Welcome to the Pulkovo Observatory!
The order of excursions conducting and booking

The Pulkovo Observatory was built by order of Emperor Nicholas I on the Pulkovo hills to the south of Saint Petersburg in 1839, and shortly after became a world-famous astronomical research centre. The main building of the observatory was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990. The museum of the observatory contains a wealth of rare items outlining the astronomy development in Russia from the reign of Peter the Great to the present.


Tickets and prices

Entry to the Pulkovo Observatory Park is free.
The visit to the Astronomical Museum and telescopes is carried out only for guided groups.
Guided tours to groups of less than 10 visitors are proposed in English.
Pre-booking for guided tours at the Pulkovo Observatory is essential.

Contact our Bookings team 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday.

Tel: +7 (812) 946 5915
Email: pulkovoexc@gmail.com

Standard Day Tour
What is included: Astronomical Museum, 26-inch refractor or telescope atop the central tower or Big Pulkovo Radio Telescope.
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Pulkovo Observatory – Past and Present, Standard Day Tour

Duration: 1.5 hours.

The tour begins with the visit of the Museum that shows the history of astronomy of the 19th and 20th centuries in the making. Our collection focuses on astronomical and geodesic instruments, precision timekeeping instruments, telescope models, copies of antique engravings and more.

Two halls of the Museum are publicly accessible now. The Round Hall was used either as a museum or as a storage place for small astronomical instruments for most of its history, whereas the Meridian Hall was the wing used for astronomical observations, the mid-nineteenth century instruments of V. Ya. Struve now are at their original places.

What is included: Astronomical Museum, 26-inch refractor or telescope atop the central tower or Big Pulkovo Radio Telescope.

Advanced Day Tour
What is included: Astronomical Museum, telescope atop the central tower, 26-inch refractor or Big Pulkovo Radio Telescope.
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Pulkovo Observatory — Past and Present, Advanced Day Tour

Duration: 2 hours.

The tour begins with the visit of the Museum that shows the history of astronomy of the 19th and 20th centuries in the making. Our collection focuses on astronomical and geodesic instruments, precision timekeeping instruments, telescope models, copies of antique engravings and more.

Two halls of the Museum are publicly accessible now. The Round Hall was used either as a museum or as a storage place for small astronomical instruments for most of its history, whereas the Meridian Hall was the wing used for astronomical observations, the mid-nineteenth century instruments of V. Ya. Struve now are at their original places.

And then, climbing the central tower, visitors will be free to fully appreciate beautiful suburban scenery from the top of the Pulkovo hills, become all familiar with the mechanism and operation of the typical optical refracting telescope installed in the dome atop the tower. Furthermore, in clear weather, we will try to find sunspots on the earth-facing solar disc using a projection method.

What is included: Astronomical Museum, telescope atop the central tower, 26-inch refractor or Big Pulkovo Radio Telescope.

Evenings and Late Events
What is included: Observations with the Normal Astrograph telescope, Astronomical Museum.
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Evenings and Late Events

Duration: 1.5 hours.

Many people dream of looking at the stars through a real telescope with their own eyes.
 Participants of the tour will visit the pavilion of Normal Astrograph with a rotating dome, become familiar with the functioning of one of the observatory's operating telescopes. Guided by a professional astronomer you will have the opportunity to see the research-grade telescope at work, in clear weather, you will be assisted to observe various celestial objects: visible planets, the Moon, stars, galaxies or actual astronomical phenomena.

In addition, the excursions program includes a multimedia overview of the main research activities at the Pulkovo Observatory.

If the weather turns cloudy during our stargazing tour, an extra lecture program will be offered as well as sky visualization using live astronomy cams around the globe.

What is included: Observations with the Normal Astrograph telescope.

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Top reasons to visit

– Climb the central tower
– Take a look at attractions in the picturesque park of the observatory
– Observe sunspots and other solar structures with research-grade telescopes
– See the 26-inch Refractor
– Observe various celestial bodies and phenomena
Plan your visit

— Opening Hours of the Astronomical Museum: 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday
— Please note that the guide fee is to be paid in cash directly to the manager before the tour starts, checks or credit cards will not be accepted.
– All guided tours start from the meeting point near to the central gate, please, contact us on arrival.

Photo of the meeting point

We are easy to reach — just 15 minutes from the Moskovskaya metro station by bus and about 30 minutes by taxi from the city centre. The following buses stop near the Pulkovo Observatory: Routes 90, 150, 155, 290, 301, 431, 403 and 449.

Full address: Pulkovo Observatory, 65 Pulkovskoe Highway, Saint Petersburg 196140

Accessible parking

Car park spaces are available for visitors nearby to the central gate on the opposite side of the Pulkovskoe Highway.

Parking on Google Maps
Filming/photography in the Museum

Photographing or video recording in the Astronomical Museum is generally permitted only for school visits. Commercial or professional photography must be arranged in advance through our Bookings team. Please email pulkovoexc@gmail.com.

Eating and drinking

Unfortunately, there are no catering facilities on the premises. Please, bring your own food and drinks.