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All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

360° views of the city plus five floors of optical illusions and hands-on science.

Edinburgh, Scotland

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Edinburgh’s oldest purpose built visitor attraction, The Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile   http://www.mobypicture.com/user/Rezidor/vi...
Short’s Observatory c. 1870  
Edinburgh through the Camera Obscura  
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Photo taken Sep 2022   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
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Camera Obscura   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Part funhouse part learning center, Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions is five floors of perspective-bending fun. Operating for over 150 years, it is Edinburgh's oldest purpose-built attraction.

Established in 1835, the building was originally called “Short's Observatory, Museum of Science and Art” until 1892 when it was purchased by Patrick Geddes and renamed “Outlook Tower.” Committed to the idea that exhibition is the most exhilarating form of education, Geddes eventually incorporated Maria Short's Camera Obscura, and “Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions” was born.

Part of the purpose of the activity center is to provide a better understanding of Edinburgh, and what better way to showcase the city than to enjoy it through telescopes, view cams, and of course, the 360° panoramic view provided by the Camera Obscura on the rooftop terrace.

The rest of the building is filled with optical illusions, puzzles, mirror mazes, and a vortex tunnel, providing guests with dizzying alternate realities and tricks on the mind and on the eyes. Visitors are encouraged to get involved with everything, play with it all, and unlike a lot of learning centers, there is nothing in this one you are not allowed to touch.

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Cameras Obscura Strange Science Inventions Instruments Of Science Optical Oddities Mazes

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At the top of the Royal Mile, just before Edinburgh Castle. Admission can be quite pricey, however, several other city attractions offer combined entry reductions.

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vturiserra, info2, hrnick, jongrantham...

  • vturiserra
  • info2
  • hrnick
  • jongrantham
  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • Rachel
  • Collector of Experiences
  • gingercinnamon
  • Gavin
  • Martessa
  • TaraTalksAlot
  • tjw2158
  • lmichellerobbins

Published

May 7, 2012

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Sources
  • http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk/edinburgh_walking_tours.htm
  • http://www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-edinburgh
  • http://bundlr.com/b/going-the-extra-mile-in-edinburgh
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlook_Tower
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
549 Castlehill
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 2ND
United Kingdom
55.948954, -3.195671
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