The facility has already reached pre-pandemic figures in a year that has featured successful activities such as the 10th Astronomy Festival, the 14th edition of the Music Under the Stars cycle, the screening of Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” or the first “Christmas at the Astronomy”

The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec, managed by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), has closed 2024 with record figures. A total of 33,157 people have visited the most important astronomy center in Catalonia, the third best figure in its 16-year history and which, in addition, is at pre-pandemic levels, which confirms the recovery of the facility’s activity. The Astronomical Observatory, which closed its doors yesterday for annual maintenance, will resume offering activities from February 7.

The president of Ferrocarrils, Carles Ruiz Novella, highlighted that the good results this season are the result of “committing to a diverse range of activities, such as the Astronomy Festival or the Music Under the Stars Cycle, combined with the important outreach work that the Astronomical Observatory does to bring astronomy closer to all audiences in an educational and attractive way”. For Ruiz, these good figures “encourage us to continue along this line that is proving to be a success”.

Ruiz also highlighted that, along with the good visitor figures, the Astronomical Observatory has achieved an important milestone in the field of sustainability this 2024, the total decarbonization of the facility thanks to the entry into operation, this past November, of the new aerothermal system for the production of hot water for heating, with which the complete elimination of fossil fuel consumption in the daily operation of the facility has been achieved and a saving in direct emissions of up to 17tnCO₂eq/year. “Our commitment to the territory is not only to be a driver of economic activity but also social and environmental activity”, he added.

The activities of the year

Among the activities with the best reception this 2024, the 10th Astronomy Festival stands out, with visits by more than a thousand people. From Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 3, the Astronomical opened its domes to offer a unique perspective of the starry skies. The intergenerational program included a wide range of daytime and nighttime activities that captivated all audiences. Among these activities were experiments, workshops, concerts and guided tours in the morning, afternoon and night, all under the impressive sky of Montsec.

The 14th edition of the Music under the Stars cycle, which received almost 900 people, has also been one of the highlights of the season. This original and unique event merged astronomy and music in one of the darkest skies in Catalonia, in the municipality of Àger. This annual cycle proposed a magical experience for music enthusiasts and astronomy admirers, with musicians such as Pep Sala, Cris Juanico and Carme Canela.

Another very successful proposal has been the tribute to Pink Floyd, with ‘The Dark Side of the Moon‘, which attracted around 3,700 people from its inauguration in December 2023 to its end in November 2024. This captivating montage was born with the aim of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the iconic album of the musical group. A unique projection that merged the music of Pink Floyd with images of astronomy to create a unique immersive experience to transport viewers to the world of psychedelic rock and the universe.

The season has also been marked by the success of the first edition of “Christmas at the Astronòmic“. In the period from December 20 to January 11, 1,500 people have enjoyed the park’s Christmas activities.

The Park has also incorporated 3D mode in the daytime and nighttime experiences, and a public response system with buttons that has allowed greater interaction with the contents. These two new features have been widely accepted by the public, which has contributed to the increase in visitors and the consolidation of the Astronomical Park as a benchmark in astronomical dissemination. For this reason, the number of 3D sessions is planned to increase next season.

With these figures, the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec is consolidated as one of the most important tourist facilities in the area, and continues to be a prominent destination for lovers of astronomy, culture and family tourism. And, in addition, the park is positioned as a true economic engine for the region, contributing to the dynamism and growth of the region.