World Heritage Photos

Struve Geodetic Arc – Triangulation Points in Lithuania

The Struve Geodetic Arc consists of a chain of 265 triangulation survey stations. The chain was established and used by the astronomer Friedrich von Struve to determine the exact shape and size of the Earth. The Struve Geodetic Arc stretches from Hammerfest in Norway to a station point close to the Black Sea in Ukraine. The Struve Geodetic Arc is an exceptional example of scientific collaboration between different countries; it passes through ten countries and stretches over 2,820 kilometres.

Friedrich von Struve carried out his triangulation measurements between 1816 and 1855. The Tartu Old Observatory in Estonia and  the Alatornio Church in Finland are the only buildings that were used for the measurements; both have remained unchanged since that time. One of the few remaining station points of the Struve Geodetic Arc in Lithuania is located near Meškonys, a tiny village close to Vilnius. 

The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes 34 of the station points, with different markings, such as drilled holes in a rock, iron or stone crosses, obelisks, cairns and buildings. These 34 station points of the Struve Geodetic Arc were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.

Visual artwork from the World Heritage Art series: Friedrich von Struve 

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1. 

   Our own classic Mini next to one of the station points of the Struve Geodetic Arc in Lithuania. This station point is situated close to Meškonys, a village nearby Vilnius. The Struve Geodetic Arc consists of a chain of 265 triangulation survey stations, it stretches from Hammerfest in Norway to a station point near the Black Sea in Ukraine, the chain of survey stations was established and used by the Baltic German scientist and astronomer Friedrich von Struve to determine the exact shape and size of the earth. The arch is named after him.

2. 

   One of the station points of the Struve Geodetic Arc in Lithuania. The station point is located near Meškonys, a amall village near Vilnius, and also close to the Geographical Centre of Europe near village of Purnuškės. The Struve Geodetic Arc is one of the foremost scientific and technical achievements of its time and has a truly universal significance. The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes 34 of the station points with different markings, such as drilled holes in a rock, obelisks, iron crosses and buildings.

3. 

   On our way to the IMM, International Mini Meeting, we parked our own 1974 Mini Authi next to the station point of the Struve Geodetic Arc at Meškonys in Lithuania. The Geodetic Arc consists of a chain of 265 triangulation survey stations and is stretching through ten countries and over a length of 2.820 kilometres. The measurements were carried out between 1816 and 1855, under the mentorship of the astronomer Friedrich von Struve. Only 34 of the most noteworthy station points of the Struve Geodetic Arc were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005.