Eise Eisinga Planetarium

About

If the stark black and white sign that only reads “Planetarium” wasn’t clear enough, this classic Dutch canal house has the world’s oldest planetarium. Eise Eisinga worked as a wool carder but was self-educated as a mathematician and astronomer despite having no formal education in his youth. He built the planetarium in response to a reverend stirring up chaos in the area about the planets colliding and causing Armageddon. It took seven years, but Eisinga completed the orrery in 1781 to prove to the masses and the church that such a planetary collision was impossible. The machine is built from many moving parts made of oak, and more than 10,000 hand-made nails are holding it together. This museum features interactive displays about astronomy and is appropriate for guests of all ages.