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Observatory Museum

Grahamstown Overview

Description

Visit a rare Victorian amusement once considered 'The Magic Mirror of Life'.

This unusual multi-storeyed 19th century Victorian shop and home is now a museum housing interesting displays, a Meridian room, an observatory and the only camera obscura in the southern hemisphere.

Known for its identification of the Eureka in 1867, this house had a place in the identification of the first diamond that was found in South Africa, and a display on the ground floor tells this story.

This connection with the Eureka prompted De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. to purchase and restore the Observatory in the 80s to commemorate the start of the diamond industry in South Africa.

The Observatory Museum is part of the Albany Museum complex – www.ru.ac.za/albanymuseum.

Weekdays 09:00 – 16:30
Saturdays 09:30 – 13:00.

Observatory Museum Map

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Accommodation near Observatory Museum

*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling distance.

Hotel Victoria Mews |

Hotel Victoria Mews

Grahamstown Hotel in Grahamstown
0.39km from Observatory Museum

Hotel Victoria Mews is right in the centre of the City of Saints and Sinners. A quaint hotel of gre...

from R450
1 Room, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
Bartholomew's Loft |

Bartholomew's Loft

Grahamstown Self-catering in Grahamstown
0.45km from Observatory Museum

Bartholomew's Loft is an affordable, centrally situated self-catering accommodation ideally suited t...

from R600
1 Unit, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
Colonel Graham Guest House |

Colonel Graham Guest House

Grahamstown Guest House in Grahamstown
0.50km from Observatory Museum

Colonel Graham Guest House offers 11 rooms situated in attractive private gardens with a swimming po...

from R1,041
1 Room, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
Oak Lodge Guesthouse |

Oak Lodge Guesthouse

Grahamstown Bed and Breakfast in Grahamstown
0.61km from Observatory Museum

Suitable for business or leisure travellers, Oak Lodge Guesthouse is a17-bedroom guest house offerin...

from R740
1 Room, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
Evelyn House |

Evelyn House

Grahamstown Guest House, Grahamstown Bed and Breakfast in Grahamstown
0.63km from Observatory Museum

Centrally situated, Evelyn House is near some of the most historical sites in Grahamstown. With its...

from R780
1 Room, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
Graham Hotel |

Graham Hotel

Grahamstown Hotel in Grahamstown
0.64km from Observatory Museum

Graham Hotel welcomes you to a timeless world of complete comfort and warm Eastern Cape hospitality,...

from R780
1 Room, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
The Cock House |

The Cock House

Grahamstown Guest House in Grahamstown
0.76km from Observatory Museum

Built in 1826, this charming Victorian home has been lovingly restored and is a declared National Mo...

from R920
1 Room, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
Mhambi - The Traveller B&B |

Mhambi - The Traveller B&B

Grahamstown Self-catering, Grahamstown Bed and Breakfast in Grahamstown
0.78km from Observatory Museum

Colourful, private and secure, Mhambi cottage lies at the top of George Street looking up to Makana’...

from R580
1 Unit, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
Courtlands |

Courtlands

Grahamstown Self-catering, Grahamstown Bed and Breakfast in Grahamstown
0.79km from Observatory Museum

For those who wish to study or attend conferences at Rhodes University, we are only 150 meters from ...

from R620
1 Unit, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
High Corner Guest House |

High Corner Guest House

Grahamstown Guest House in Grahamstown
0.80km from Observatory Museum

Centrally situated, historical property. En-suite bathrooms, heated towel rails, air conditioning,...

from R930
1 Room, 2 Guests
24 May 2013
1 night
 
  • Theatres, Galleries & Museums
     
  •  www.ru.ac.za/albanymuseum
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