City Observatory roof

Category

Library Item

Item no

10811

Title

Panorama from the City Observatory roof with the National Monument and Nelson Monument

Description

A panoramic view of the domes of the City Observatory with the monuments of Calton Hill, Edinburgh behind it. In the centre stand the columns of the National Monument and to its right the tower of the Nelson Monument. In the background is Arthur's Seat.

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2007

Size

19 x 25.4 cm

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Edinburgh's City Observatory is situated on Calton Hill. The central observatory building was designed by W. H. Playfair and completed in 1818. It was built for the Astronomical Institution, founded in 1811-12 with the architect's uncle, John Playfair, as its president. Immediately to the south-west of Playfair's building stands an earlier observatory, now called Observatory House. It was built in the late 18th century for the Leith optician Thomas Short, and was designed by James Craig. The City Dome, a late 19th century addition to the site, stands to the north-east. The observatory is now run by the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Monuments > Memorial monuments

Natural phenomena > Astronomy > Observatories

Places > Edinburgh areas > Calton Hill

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

(55°55′26″N, 3°11′13″W)

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