Volkssternwarte

Gazing up at the imposing tower of the Volkssternwarte, one can almost feel the weight of its rich history. The Volkssternwarte Erfurt, nestled within the historic Cyriaksburg fortress, has witnessed the passage of time and the evolution of astronomical understanding. The story of the Volkssternwarte begins in 1911, with the inauguration of an observatory at a local secondary school. Its original telescope, a Zeiss A-objective 130/2330 mm, still stands proudly within the Volkssternwarte today. During the tumultuous years of World War II, the observatory’s director, Studienrat Priem, made a crucial decision. Recognizing the impending danger, he ensured the safe dismantling and storage of the observatory’s instruments. This foresight saved the telescope from the devastating air raid that destroyed the original observatory in February 1945. After the war, Priem championed the construction of a new observatory within the fortress tower of Cyriaksburg. A new dome was acquired from Carl Zeiss in Jena, and a new mounting was installed. By 1950, the Volkssternwarte found its new home, becoming a hub for astronomy enthusiasts under Priem’s dedicated leadership. The Volkssternwarte experienced a surge in popularity during its time on the grounds of the International Garden Exhibition (IGA), drawing an impressive 100,000 visitors annually. From 1978 to 1995, Günter Loibl took the helm as director. Under his guidance, the refractor telescope was meticulously restored, and a permanent exhibition was installed within the tower. However, after German reunification, visitor numbers declined. Since 1996, the Erfurter Sternfreunde e.V., founded in 1992, has devotedly maintained the Volkssternwarte. In 2011, marking the refractor’s centennial, the telescope underwent a significant modernization, thanks to dedicated club members and funding. The original pendulum clock, responsible for the refractor’s tracking, was replaced with a modern FS2 stepper motor control. A 12-inch ACF reflecting telescope by Meade was added, along with a specialized camera. The Volkssternwarte Erfurt continues to inspire a love for the cosmos, a testament to the enduring passion of those who have kept its legacy alive.