Eise Eisinga Planetarium image

Eise Eisinga Planetarium

Tourist attraction Museum Planetarium

One of the Best Places To Visits in Franeker


Address

Eise Eisingastraat 3, 8801 KE Franeker, Netherlands

Website

www.planetarium-friesland.nl

Contact

+31 517 393 070

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (732 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: 11 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: planetarium (24) museum (15) nice (8) visit (7) Franeker (6) worth (6) working (6) world (6) visiting (6) Eise (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Natina H. 5 months ago on Google • 227 reviews
    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 🇳🇱🌍😍❤️
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Olga van der V. 9 months ago on Google • 179 reviews
    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.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrii P. 7 months ago on Google • 234 reviews
    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.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin C. 1 year ago on Google • 120 reviews
    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.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nigel D. 2 years ago on Google
    Fascinating historical device kept and presented well. Unfortunately the rest of the museum was a bit confusing (for English) with unclear signage. We'll worth a visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angelo 1 year ago on Google • 55 reviews
    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.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michiel F. 5 years ago on Google
    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.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tatiana M. 11 months ago on Google
    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 😉
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 CLOGG 7 months ago on Google • 104 reviews
    Amazing what the guy has built in his small home, worthy of a visit.

  • 5/5 ANA'S MAGIC W. 6 months ago on Google • 84 reviews
    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.

  • 5/5 Veneta G. 6 months ago on Google • 47 reviews
    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.

  • 5/5 ronan b. 7 months ago on Google • 23 reviews
    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) :)

  • 5/5 Rob V. 1 year ago on Google • 9 reviews
    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.

  • 5/5 Pablo C. 1 year ago on Google
    This is an excellent museum, very well set and maintained, where one can see a working planetarium. Very nice personnel.

  • 4/5 Ravi “Raaf” K. 1 year ago on Google
    I had the pleasure of visiting the Eise Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker on April 25th, and I must say it was an incredible experience. The planetarium is a stunning display of science, history, and art that is both educational and entertaining.

  • 4/5 young hui kim (. 2 years ago on Google
    The people here are nice. The place is very interesting and has a lot of information. It is pretty small. They have very nice souvenirs. I do recommend this place.

  • 5/5 Ralf L. 8 months ago on Google
    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.

  • 4/5 Yekeen H. 9 months ago on Google
    Oldest planetarium in the world,amazing!English tours are done and detail descriptions are on artifacts.

  • 5/5 Z M. 1 year ago on Google
    This is possibly the best museum ever

  • 5/5 Turgay K. 6 years ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 René S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great museum; lots of info, nice presentation in the room of the planetarium and a great short movie about the person that created it

  • 5/5 Jeroen den D. 1 year ago on Google
    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.

  • 5/5 Dennis van B. 2 years ago on Google
    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!


Call +31 517 393 070 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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