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Urania Sternwarte

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Urania Sternwarte is a public observatory in the Lindenhof quarter of Zurich , Switzerland . Its name Urania refers to the muse of astronomy in Greek mythology .

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26-584: Its origins base on a first observatory on the roof of the Zunfthaus zur Meisen . In 1759, so called «Astronomische Kommission» succeeded from this location for the first time, to define Culminatio solis and thus calculated the exact global location of the city of Zurich. In later years, astronomical observations were done from the Grossmünster 's southern "Karl's tower", followed by scientific observations (not for public use by interested enthusiasts) from

52-520: A member of the city council, and of Mechthild. He was married to Margaretha Fütschi, daughter of Ulrich, another councillor. Rudolf was himself a member of the council from 1332 to 1336. Brun overthrew the former city council with the help of the city's craftsmen in June 1336. According to the new constitution, the council was now composed of 26 members, of whom 13 were of the Konstaffel , consisting of

78-414: Is complemented by outstanding objects from Nyon, the other important Swiss porcelain manufactory of that time, which produced from 1781 to 1813. In the field of faience tableware production all Swiss production sites of that time were represented. Zürich's magnificent tiled stoves made of faience refer to the close ties to this branch of industry, but also to the important Swiss harbor tradition. Because of

104-500: Is equipped with a Fraunhofer two-lens system of 30 cm aperture and focal length of 5.05 meters, allowing maximal 600-fold magnification (mostly used 150- to 205-fold magnification). The refractor in the dome area is the center of the imposing tower building: The telescope stands on a pillar, contact-free installed through the center of the building to the foundations of the business house Urania, fitted with anti-vibration installations. Its optical telescope measures twelve tons and

130-626: The Battle of Grynau . In 1349, Brun led a massacre of the Jewish community of Zurich , seizing many of the spoils for himself. An attempted coup by the aristocratic opposition was forcefully put down in 1350, Count Johann II of Rapperswil , the opposition's leader, was arrested, and the town walls of Rapperswil and Rapperswil Castle were destroyed by Brun. Zürich under Brun joined the Swiss Confederacy in 1351. A result of Brun's revolution

156-457: The Constaffel , still celebrate Sechseläuten . In early times, the "Alter Einsiedlerhof" house stood on the site of today's guild house. This was first mentioned on 25 October 1268. Abbot Anselm von Einsiedeln once had this building built as a flophouse for the abbot. In addition, the house also contained the former apartment of the administrator. In 1618 the former "Alte Einsiedlerhof"

182-588: The Münsterhof plaza. The building originally housed an observatory, the Urania Sternwarte , on its roof. In 1759, the astronomical commission used this telescope to define the Culminatio solis , thus determining the exact location of the city of Zürich on the globe. In the 19th century, Gottfried Keller and Ferdinand Hodler were among the most famous guests of the former Café zur Meisen. In

208-558: The 20th century, Gustaf V of Sweden , Winston Churchill , Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Jimmy Carter were all visitors. The building is still a restaurant of the higher price class. The former Zunft zum Winlütten had its guild house at Marktgasse . In 1757, a Rococo palace in the French style – with a cour d'honneur and elegant puddling doors – was built by the architect, David Morf (1700–1773). The stone for

234-589: The Federal observatory, built 1861/64 for ETH Zurich by Gottfried Semper . In 1899, the Zurich merchant Abraham Weill Einstein initiated the oldest observatory in Switzerland, situated near Werdmühleplatz ( Uraniastrasse ). On June 15, 1907, the observatory was given to operational use. Its 51 metres (167 ft) tower dominates the western end of Zurich's historic Altstadt . Urania's refracting telescope

260-583: The National Museum finally decided not to continue the Meisen outstation. It is envisaged that the ceramic and porcelain holdings will one day be integrated into the redesigned permanent exhibition in the west wing of the Landesmuseum, the opening of which is planned for next year after completion of the comprehensive renovation. The museum management expects that this relocation of the collection to

286-642: The Swiss porcelain and faience factories of the 18th century, and the development of forms and patterns of dishware and miniatures. One of the focuses were the products of the Porzellanmanufaktur Schooren (1763–1790) in Kilchberg . Changing exhibitions further explained the history and the work of well-known porcelain manufacturers and other cultural and historical issues in Zürich, such as

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312-521: The anniversary exhibition Frauen, Zunft und Männerwelt – 250 Jahre Zunfthaus zur Meisen (Women, Men's Guild and the world - 250 years Guild house Meisen). The main item in the collection was an originally 300-piece dinner service, which Zürich donated to the Einsiedeln Abbey in 1775 as a thank-you for its mediation in the conflict over fishing rights with the Canton of Schwyz. Zürich porcelain

338-614: The building ensemble at that area, listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance as a Class A object of national importance. Zunfthaus zur Meisen The Zunfthaus zur Meisen is the guild house of the Zunft zur Meisen. It is one of the many historically valuable buildings in the Lindenhof quarter in Zürich , Switzerland , and also housed

364-529: The building was Bollinger sandstone from the quarries on Obersee lake shore. Particular attention was given to the interior of the building; the ceiling and wall paintings are by Johann Balthasar Bullinger , the masonry heaters by Leonhard Locher and Hans Jakob Hofmann, and the elaborate stucco ceilings by the Tyrolean master Johann Schuler. The two guild rooms and the balcony hall between them are decorated with lavish stucco and form an ideal backdrop for

390-405: The city's first independent mayor. Since 1234, Zürich had been governed by an aristocratic council. One third of the council's members were representatives of the nobility, and two thirds were drawn from the city's patriciate, consisting mainly of influential merchants. The city's mayor was appointed from among these by the abbess of the influential Fraumünster . Rudolf was the son of Jakob Brun,

416-402: The city, Lake Zurich and Alps. The Urania house hosts a restaurant and an exclusive Bar, too. At the same time, its location in the middle of the city of Zurich is a serious problem: light pollution allows restricted observations of few galaxies and nebulae . Therefore, observations are limited practically to the moon and planets and bright celestial objects. The observatory is, as part of

442-502: The comprehensive presentation of Baroque table culture. With this connection, the house and exhibition merge into a synthesis of the arts. The Zunfthaus zur Meisen is considered one of the most beautiful guild houses in Zürich. From 1958 to 17 April 2018 the guild house was one of the seven sites of the Swiss National Museum and housed its porcelain and faience collection. The permanent exhibition gave an overview of

468-506: The former patriciate; at least seven of these were required to hold knighthood . The remaining 13 councillors were the guild masters of the city's 13 guilds ( Zünfte ). In this sense, Brun's reform was not so much a revolution as the creation of a balance of power between the patriciate and the guilds. Brun reserved for himself the title of mayor for life, and he dominated the council until his death in 1360. In 1337, Brun defeated his political opponents, who had retreated to Rapperswil , at

494-502: The guild, which was composed of vintners, tavern owners, saddlers and painters, changed their name to reflect the name of the house, Zunft zur Meisen (Meisen guild). The Zunft zum Winlütten , along with the other medieval Zürich guilds, was founded in 1336, based on a system established by Rudolf Brun , Zurich's first independent mayor. Although the guilds represented various craft associations, they were also economic, political, social and even military organizations that participated in

520-425: The head office will benefit from the link to other collections and that it will be noticed by many more visitors. The Meisen building and its collection is listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance as a Class A object of national importance. Rudolf Brun Rudolf Brun (1290s – 17 September 1360) was the leader of the Zürich guilds ' revolution of 1336, and

546-414: The less visitor-friendly opening hours (Thursdays to Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) the museum management tried to reconcile the different needs. Since the opening of the intensively used new Nationalmuseum building, the flow of visitors has shifted even more clearly there. In view of the imminent renovation of the tits, which required the exhibition to be cleared from 17 April 2018 anyway, the management of

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572-522: The porcelain and faience collection of the Swiss National Museum by April 2018. It is situated at the Münsterhof and the Münsterbrücke , a bridge over the river Limmat, opposite the upper Limmatquai with the Constaffel , Zimmerleuten , Kämbel and Saffran guild houses. In 1449, the former Zunft zum Winlütten (innkeepers guild) built a house named der Meysen hus . That same year

598-541: The wars of the medieval city republic as independent military units. They also constituted the councilors of the elitary council of the medieval city republic of Zürich , until the French revolutionary troops terminated the guild regime, and the Old Swiss Confederacy collapsed in spring 1798. The Zürich guilds, except for the women members of the Fraumünster society who only participate as guests of

624-444: Was celebrated. The observatory offers guided tours – Moon , Solar System objects, stars, star clusters , interstellar clouds , and galaxies – and special events for a wide audience, as well as individual tours for schools and groups. Paid public tours can be found on clear weather from Tuesday to Friday, starting at 20:00 (8 pm). The central location and the city of Zurich overriding observation tower also provide an unusual view of

650-565: Was designed by Carl Zeiss AG in Jena, Germany, considered as a technical masterpiece. Urania's refractor topped technological history as "Urania type". On its centenary anniversary, telescope and dome were fully renewed. The Zeiss telescope, still meeting today's demands, was dismantled in March 2006, and in Jena fully restored. On April 25, 2007, the telescope was hoisted into the observatory's 51 m high dome, on May 4, 2007, its second opening ceremony

676-467: Was sold to Squire Colonel Kaspar Schmid who had the time-honored house replaced by a new building. In 1752 construction of a new guild house was begun, and the widows of two stonemasons caused a stir by submitting a lower bid than their male counterparts. The two women were given the contract. The building is located on the Limmat river's left shore, in immediate neighborhood of the Fraumünster abbey at

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