Parc Astronòmic del Montsec closes 2025 strengthening its family offerings and with over 30,000 visitors

The centenary of Assumpció Català i Poch shapes the 2025 activities at the Parc Astronòmic, which is already preparing an exceptional 2026 with the total solar eclipse visible from Catalonia

The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec (PAM) has concluded the 2025 season, consolidating itself as one of the main references in scientific outreach, culture, and family tourism in Catalonia. The facility, managed by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), exceeded 30,000 visitors, maintaining figures similar to the previous season and reinforcing its role as a key destination for astronomy enthusiasts.

PAM closed its doors yesterday and will reopen at full capacity from February 6 with new proposals for 2026, a particularly significant year because on August 12 a total solar eclipse will be visible from Catalonia, a phenomenon not seen in more than 120 years. The Parc is preparing special activities to make this astronomical event accessible to everyone, with workshops, planetarium sessions, and outreach activities in the months leading up to it.

Centenary of Assumpció Català i Poch

The celebration of the centenary of Assumpció Català i Poch, the first female astronomy professor in Spain, was one of the main focuses of 2025 activities. In July, PAM hosted the central commemorative event, highlighting Català i Poch’s contributions to mathematics and astronomy, as well as her role as a woman in science. In addition, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat named a train on the Barcelona-Vallès line after her.

Highlights of 2025 activities

The 11th Astronomy Festival, held over two weekends in October and dedicated to Català i Poch, attracted over 1,200 visitors. Featured activities included the nighttime experience “El Cel de la Tardor”, the family daytime experience “Descobrim els estels”, and the concert Música sota les Estrelles with Olga Zoet.

The Cicle de Música sota les estrelles also continued strongly, now in its 15th edition, featuring six Catalan artists (Manu Guix, Mariona Escoda, Juls, Kelly Isaiah, Olga Zoet, and Judit Neddermann & Pau Figueres) who brought music to the Montsec skies, with more than 800 attendees between June and November.

The Christmas program “Nadal a l’Astronòmic”, from December 19 to January 10, again brought astronomy closer to families and the general public, with magic shows, immersive cinema, observation sessions, planetariums, concerts, and photographic exhibitions, attracting over 1,200 participants.

New equipment and sky observation

2025 has been a year of technological improvements at the Parc. Three new 30-centimeter Dobson portable telescopes were added, allowing direct observation of the night sky, and the Parc’s first radio telescope was put into operation, especially useful for solar observation during daytime visits and set to be one of the highlights of the 2026 season.

2026, a year with a total solar eclipse

The most prominent astronomical event of the year will be the total solar eclipse on August 12. Although the path of totality will not pass over Montsec, the Parc Astronòmic will prepare special activities to bring this phenomenon closer to everyone, explaining its unique features and offering safe observation tips. During these brief minutes of totality, the solar corona will be visible, and the eclipse will serve both as a unique spectacle and an opportunity for scientific observations of the Sun and its effects on nature.

With these figures and new initiatives, the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec reaffirms its position as a key facility for scientific outreach, culture, and family tourism in Catalonia, ready to offer a 2026 season full of unique experiences under the Montsec skies.