After nearly a year of renovations, the Prague Planetarium is set to reopen on Saturday, June 14, now boasting the most advanced projection technology in Europe—and one of the most sophisticated in the world.

The planetarium’s transformation centers around its new LED Dome, a €12 million upgrade that replaces traditional projection systems with ultra-high-definition, immersive visuals.

“We’re planning a special program for the opening weekend, June 14 and 15, to welcome visitors back,” said director Jakub Rozehnal. “Guests can look forward to a 15-minute show running in cycles throughout both days, discounted tickets, and a small souvenir to commemorate the occasion.”

From Monday, June 16, the planetarium will resume its regular schedule, offering a broader selection of programming. “We’ve acquired new educational films and are currently finalizing their translations and dubbing,” Rozehnal added. “We’ll include whatever is ready by then.”

New Standard in Planetarium Technology

The overhaul, which began in summer 2023, was fully funded by the City of Prague at a total cost of 300 million CZK. The crown jewel is the LED Dome, valued at 180 million CZK, measuring 22 meters in diameter.

Unlike traditional systems that use spherical projectors and fabric screens, the new dome incorporates 45.3 million micro-LEDs, offering unprecedented image quality, contrast, and brightness at 8K+ resolution.

The technology—developed by American company Cosm—represents a leap in immersive educational experiences.

“Prague is now home to the most advanced planetarium technology available,” said representatives from Cosm. “With the CX System, including Digistar 7 and integration with Unreal Engine, visitors will experience some of the world’s most realistic astronomical simulations and scientific visualizations.”

Built to Last—and Pay Off

City officials are confident the investment will pay for itself. In 2019, before the pandemic, the planetarium drew 200,000 visitors, a number expected to grow significantly after the upgrade. The LED Dome, with a life expectancy of 25 years, also reduces long-term operational costs.

To manage the intense heat generated by the LED system, a new ventilation and energy recovery system has been installed. Waste heat from the diodes will be reused to heat the building, improving the facility’s energy efficiency.

Expanded Capacity and Offerings

The planetarium’s auditorium capacity has been expanded from 190 to 280 seats, and new amenities include a souvenir shop, cloakroom, and a redesigned pass-through layout that facilitates visitor flow.

More than just a place to gaze at stars, the renovated space is designed for versatile programming. In addition to astronomy shows, it will host educational films, concerts, and theatrical performances. Rozehnal emphasized the goal of attracting “a broad audience, across all age groups.”

Originally opened in 1960, the Prague Planetarium features one of the world’s largest domes, measuring 23.5 meters. With this ambitious renovation, it’s now ready to lead the next generation of science and culture in Europe.

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