Eise Eisinga Planetarium

In the historical town of Franeker, I walked down the streets, and it felt like I was in a sweet dream or a storybook. It's so beautiful, charming, and did I tell you that it's home to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Eisinga Planetarium, the World's Oldest Operating Planetarium! It is worth every kilometer traveled from the States! Visit the Netherlands 🇳🇱🌍😍❤

The oldest still working planetarium in the world! Very cool place to visit! All the planets, stars, sun and moon in the Planetarium move exactly as they do in reality, and they have been doing this for more than 240 years! Make sure to take a tour to learn about it in more detail.

Museum is located in 3 houses. One is original house with the planetarium another brasserie in art nouveau style and the third one is the house with entrance to the museum. The museum has several rooms restored including room with the planetarium. The other rooms house the excebition of clocks telescopes, sextants and other astronomical instruments made by local masters from Franeker in the period of 18th century. The planetarium, which is one of the first in the world takes 2 rooms one above another. It still works!!! The excursion is provided in Dutch and sometimes in English. Place is very popular after being awarded UNESCO heritage. The temporary excebition shows marvel of 18th century consisting of 2 mini planetariums, clocks all in one piece of furniture. Haven't seen anything like this before. The Museum is absolutely worth visiting. Reserve 1 or more hours. Most of the rooms including planetarium are accessible by ♿. Many thanks to the staff who does excellent job by preserving and presenting this unique museum.

Great morning with the family. Super museum with obviously an amazing centre piece as its crowning glory.

Amazing what the guy has built in his small home, worthy of a visit.

Great small museum in the Frisian city of Franeker. Oldest remaining working planetarium in the world. Dates back from 1774. Well preserved and fully working. Little over an houre from Amsterdam. Combine with visit to Franeker.

Incredible place! My mind is blown. 230 year old planetarium 🪐 and a very interesting but also sad story of the creator Eise. It’s amazing that it still works. The museum staff were brilliant and parts of the exhibition were good. Maintenance wasn’t perfect but otherwise an excellent experience. Everyone must see this planetarium and hear the story.

Amazing place, the amount of work he put in to build this place is amazing. It would be worth it just for the planetarium itself. But there is such a great museum around it.

While you are there go see the fountain just around the corner. It is a literal Oort cloud. (Like the astronomer) :)

The Royal Planetarium in the town of Franeker is the oldest functioning planetarium in the world. The facility is almost 250 years old.
The creator of the remarkable facility is Eise Eisinga, who is a wool trader and amateur astronomer.
For 7 years, he himself built a model of the planetarium in his home. The device is driven by wooden discs and numerous iron pins. It is controlled by a pendulum clock. The reason Eising built the planetarium was to disprove a prophecy that several planets would collide and cause the end of the world. Now his house has been turned into a museum, and his creation is still in full working order.

Interesting museum to visit, a lot to see and learn about the universe. Also interesting for young(er) kids. Entrance fee was about 6 euro (adults) so that's reasonable.

This ancient planetarium is a place worth visiting more than once. It is possible to buy your ticket online, so you save time when visiting it. The guide will explain the history of how the planetarium was made and how it functions.

Very nice historical machine with lots of other planetary mechanisms on show. Super friendly staff!

Well worth a visit. A lot of historical astronomical instruments plus, of course, old Eisinga's own planetarium. And a lovely tea garden at the back. We booked tickets in advance as advised on the website, not sure if that is absolutely necessary, though.

Best museum ever. Started with the oldest still working planetarium finished in 1781 made by a wool carder. . But has also a wealth of related exhibitions in the original 18th century houses.

Fantastic museum to go to, to learn everything about the planets in our solar system. A very nice in person explanation about Eise Eisinga's home made planetarium!
A nice challenge for the kids to be actively researching the museum 👌 😀

A must go when visiting Friesland!

Feel the history, discover the smart man. It is in the city centre, the planetarium was made by Eise (you can see the original things). You should take your child there also. Ticket is 5.25 Euro.

Amazing place, a 250 year old planetarium on the ceiling of a living room. All made in Eise Eisinga's spare time. The surrounding part has substantially improved in the last few years, with a lot more attention for Eisinga, his family, his place in society, and why he started to make the planetarium in the first place. Also nice for the kids, they liked the background story, and they were offered a seperate quest (the grown-ups had to help with some of the questions). A must visit when in Friesland.

I would definitely recommend visiting this place. Interactive, with story-telling and a lot of effort put into the place. The lady who told the stories is very cool, I love her enthusiasm.

BTW, the Cafe is also very nice, so if you are hungry, do not hesitate to get there as well 😉

Totally blown away by the genius of this man in building a miniature solar system in his room. Must visit to see it first hand.

A must see if you enjoy space and history 🔭🌍🌌