Facelift planned for National Observatory in central Athens

A 1.55-million-euro project by the Region of Attica will highlight and upgrade the facilities of the National Observatory of Athens on the Hill of the Nymphs, in the Thissio neighbourhood of central Athens, state-run news agency ANA-MPA reported on Thursday.

The project includes building an observation platform and a multi-use hall. The surrounding area will also be landscaped and a souvenir store will sell themed objects.

The observatory currently contains a multi-use hall that can only contain 25 people, a number that will rise to 196 with the upgrade.

An Observatory spokesman said that the central scientific research institute - which also provides information on seismic activity in Greece and runs weather monitoring stations -  has served research for 170 years, and the upgrade will allow the use of facilities for congresses and scientific meetings.