Opening times change at Sarmizegetusa Regia during the solstices + installation of webcam for remote viewing of astronomical events

Sarmizegetusa Regia is perhaps the most important historical archaeological site in Romania. Listed in the UNESCO heritage sites list, Sarmizegetusa Regia is opened daily from 9:00 during summer and from 10:00 during winter.

The site has a well-known archaeoastronomical significance exhibiting a possible sundial pointing North, and two sanctuaries which may be aligned astronomically.

In this petition we plan on asking the authorities to change the visiting hours around solstices so that visitors can witness the sunrise at winter solstice and at summer solstice. The event takes place around 8:00 in winter and around 5:30 in summer. The minimal effort requires the site to be accessible to visitors an extra 2 hours in winter and 4:30 in summer for a total of about 20 days per year.

In addition, we plan on installing a webcam which will allow people from around the world do witness the sunrise at these times.

This petition comes at a time when all major sites around the world are open during major astronomical events. We name here but a few: Stonehenge, Newgrange, Bryn Celli Ddu, Die Externsteine, Cichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat.

Asociația Societatea Română pentru Astronomie Culturală    Contact the author of the petition