The Astronomy centre in Rijeka was opened only a year and a half ago and has already become an unavoidable place for tourists visiting Kvarner and its inland. This is a centre that brings together science, education and fun. At night, visitors can watch the stars through a large telescope with explanations from experts, while during the daytime films are shown in English, Italian or French. ‘A race towards the Earth’ (La corsa sulla Terra) is a fun, animated, 30 minute film in Italian about two kingdoms and their people from the Moon who are trying to land on Earth in a spaceship.

Different to the Italian film which is mostly enjoyed by the younger generations, is the French film ‘Vibrato’ which shows a journey into space through a virtual reality simulator. This is a real treat for true lovers of Sci-Fi because along with the visual impression, they can experience the true echo and sounds of space.

Two films are in English. ‘Planets in Sight’ is a documentary classic suited for wide audience. The film offers the viewers information about the Solar system with the help of suggestive panoramic shots.

‘Two Small Pieces of Glass’ is an entertaining documentary about the history and development of the telescope, what the first telescopes looked like, what the largest telescopes in the world look like and what challenges lie ahead of the newest generation of observatories.

The Astronomy centre in Rijeka, which was recently accepted into the International Planetarium Association, is located in the renovated former military fort built in 1941 on the mount Sveti Križ. The centre also won a special award from the Tourist Board because it is well adjusted for persons with disabilities and offers programs for kindergartens, schools, tourist groups and the public of all ages. It has an astronomical observatory and a modern planetarium equipped with the latest digital technology.


The Tourist Board of the Primorsko-goranska County
www.kvarner.hr

The Tourist Board of Rijeka
www.tz-rijeka.hr