Zeiss-Großplanetarium
Zeiss-Großplanetarium is a science theatre with a 30 metre outer dome, a 23 metre inner dome, 307 planetarium seats, and a 160 seat cinema.
Confirmed open against a source on 2 August 2026. Source: Berlin.de. 52.54306, 13.42814.
What it is
Practical
The address is Prenzlauer Allee 80, 10405 Berlin, near S Prenzlauer Allee and tram stops Fröbelstraße and Prenzlauer Allee/Danziger Straße. [1]
Book a specific event when possible because reserved tickets must be collected at least 30 minutes before the start, and late entry is not allowed after the event begins. [1]
Current published prices are EUR 12 for the knowledge category, EUR 16 for music and entertainment, EUR 10 for cinema, EUR 11 for 3D cinema, and EUR 31.50 for a family knowledge ticket; price check: 2026-08-02. [1]
The planetarium hall and cinema are wheelchair accessible, and an induction loop is available for hearing aids. [1][2]
Times and seasons
Regular cash-desk hours are Tuesday 09:00 to 14:00, Wednesday 09:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 20:30, Thursday 09:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 21:30, Friday 09:00 to 23:00, Saturday 10:00 to 00:00, and Sunday 10:30 to 20:00, with Monday closed. [1]
During the 2026 summer holidays from 9 July to 22 August, the cash desk opens Tuesday from 09:30 to 15:00, Wednesday and Thursday from 09:30 to 21:30, Friday from 09:00 to 23:00, Saturday from 10:30 to 22:30, and Sunday from 10:30 to 20:00. [1]
Show start time matters more than daylight or weather, and visitors cannot enter the planetarium hall after a programme has begun. [1]
Who it suits, and when
The venue suits families, school groups, science learners, concert audiences, and people who want a film or lecture under a dome. [1][2]
People who want to observe real stars through a telescope should choose an observatory because the planetarium uses a closed dome and its shows are independent of weather. [1]
UNVERIFIED planning estimate: allow 90 to 150 minutes for one programme and time in the foyer, because the official sources do not publish one standard visit length. [1][2]
What is not obvious
The interactive permanent exhibition "Das Universum zum Anfassen" is free and can be visited during Zeiss-Großplanetarium opening hours. [1]
The historic ZEISS COSMORAMA star projector is displayed free of charge in the foyer. [1]
Selected programmes can offer foreign-language audio guides, with a EUR 10 deposit for an individual or EUR 20 for a family or group. [1]
History
The foundation stone was laid in 1985 by Prof. Dr. Dieter B. Herrmann, the building was designed by architect Erhardt Gißke, and Herrmann became the founding director. [1]
The planetarium opened on 9 October 1987 for Berlin's 750th anniversary and shortly after the 38th anniversary of the GDR. [1]
On 1 July 2002 the planetarium moved to the Stiftung Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin, and it closed from April 2014 to August 2016 for major modernisation. [1]
The building reopened on 25 August 2016 under the Stiftung Planetarium Berlin after the transfer from the Stiftung Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin on 1 July 2016. [1]
The pandemic caused a closure from March 2020, followed by programme and seat restrictions until May 2022, and a five-week closure in spring 2023 for an LED upgrade and related technical work. [1]
The Landesdenkmalamt Berlin placed the building under monument protection in January 2025, and the land-owned BIM manages the property while the Stiftung Planetarium Berlin operates the venue. [1]
The checked official history does not document a fire or protest at the planetarium, so both are UNVERIFIED. [1][2]