Observatori Fabra
Observatori Fabra is an astronomical observatory in Barcelona, standing about 415 metres above sea level and facing south. Pines, cypresses, holm oaks, laurels, and mastic fill the surrounding gardens.
Inaugurated in 1904 with King Alfonso XIII present, the observatory began with astronomy and meteorology. Seismology later joined them, bringing earthquake research into its work. Long observations of climate, seismic activity, and the sky support a multidisciplinary scientific programme. Asteroids and comets remain central to its research.
A Mailhat double refractor, built in Paris in 1904, still guides observations through two 38-centimetre tubes. One tube reaches six metres, while the photographic tube reaches four. The site contributed to discovering Titan’s atmosphere and hosted Josep Comas Solà’s discovery of comet 32P/Comas Solà. Guided tours and observation nights bring the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars into view. A botanical route winds through Mediterranean plants.
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Take this page with you
The myTuur app is free, and once you are standing at a spot its story starts by itself.
Spots like this one are the stops myTuur strings into tours through Barcelona. In the app, each story begins where you stand: walk up to a spot and it starts, read it on screen or listen as you go, then follow the route to the next one.
What is myTuur?
myTuur is a free city-guide app. Its tours are built from spots, and each spot carries a story that starts when you get there, to read or to listen to as you like.