In the Troodos Mountains, an Observatory Has Opened

The astronomical observatory near the village of Agros in the Troodos area officially opened its doors on Sunday, May 19, 2024. It is expected to attract scientists and astronomy enthusiasts from around the world.

The opening ceremony, which began at 7:00 PM, was conducted by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. Participants had the opportunity to observe celestial phenomena using a modern telescope, one of the finest in the Mediterranean region.

One of the main features of the new observatory is its rotating dome, which can be adjusted according to observers' preferences. It also houses a solar telescope, offering the opportunity to observe all the "bursts" of the Sun.

According to Andreas Evgeniou, the mayor of Agros, the new observatory will become a focal point in the Troodos Mountains for both local and international visitors and scientists.

"Our small observatory will put Cyprus on the world map of stargazing and will provide financial benefits to businesses in this area through the traffic it will generate," believes the mayor.

Construction of the observatory in Troodos, at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, on a hill between the villages of Agros and Handria, began about two years ago, in April 2021.

The architectural design of the project was developed by Elena Tsolakis in collaboration with her brother, Nikodimus. According to the authors' concept, the observatory should resemble a spacecraft.

The observatory can be reached from Limassol and Nicosia in about 45 minutes.

Read also: New Planetarium in Cyprus