Astronomical Observatory in Kurzętnik
General Information
The astronomical observatory in Kurzętnik, located on Castle Hill, is an educational institution managed by the Nicolaus Copernicus Foundation, promoting astronomy and the life and activity of Nicolaus Copernicus.
Location
The astronomical observatory was built on the summit of Castle Hill, in the immediate vicinity of the ruins of the former castle of the Chełmno Chapter. Castle Hill itself is a high, elongated elevation located on the southern bank of the Drwęca River valley. The village of Kurzętnik is situated in the Nowe Miasto County, at a distance of approx. 3 km south-west of Nowe Miasto Lubawskie and 16.4 km from Lubawa, as well as 22 km south of Iława.
Object
The mini astronomical observatory was created in the years 2014-2015 according to the design by Robert Szaj – founder and president of the Nicolaus Copernicus Foundation. It was built of local fieldstone and red brick, and the whole is crowned by a characteristic dome. The observatory serves the popularization of astronomy as well as other natural sciences and mathematics. Its patron is the singer Dorota Rabczewska, better known as Doda, who became involved in promoting the observatory.
Bibliography
- "Obserwatorium imienia Dody! To NIE JEST ŻART! Doda będzie miała obserwatorium astronomiczne swojego imienia", https://www.se.pl/wiadomosci/exclusive/doda-bedzie-ogladala-gwiazdy-z-obserwatrium-wlasnego-imienia-aa-85ns-kjgk-Hut5.html, [accessed: 15.08.2025].
- "Po torowisku dawnej linii kolejowej (Kurzętnik – Iława)", https://mazury.travel/rowery/szlaki/po-torowisku-dawnej-linii-kolejowej/, [accessed: 15.08.2025].
- "Śladami Mikołaja Kopernika/In the Footsteps of Nicolaus Copernicus/Auf den Spuren von Nicolaus Kopernicus", introduction by Jerzy Sikorski, Lidzbark Warmiński 2022, pp. 20-21.
- "Ziemia Lubawska. Przewodnik po zabytkach", [Rybno 2015], pp. 28-33.
- https://www.facebook.com/ObserwatoriumKurzetnik/, [accessed: 15.08.2025].