Struve geodetic arc

Heritage

Struvė

Unesco

More information

The Struve Geodetic Arc, which stretches for nearly 3,000 kilometres from northern Norway to the Black Sea, is a chain of triangulation points, designed for determining the length of the Earth's meridian arc with great accuracy, and for calculating our planet’s shape and size. Consisting of 34 individual points, the Arc traverses a total of 10 countries. Although as many as 18 of these points are located in Lithuania, only 3 of them have been mapped.

The Struve Geodetic Arc is an extraordinary testament to scientific progress and the collaboration of researchers from different countries for the benefit of humanity as a whole. This chain of triangulation points, which stretches for nearly 3,000 kilometres from northern Norway to the Black Sea, has been designed for determining the length of the Earth's meridian arc with great accuracy, and for calculating our planet’s shape and size. The Arc’s name is a tribute to the astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve. In 1816-55 he led a group of scientists who measured both – the entire chain and the exact size of our planet. One of the largest objects and the very first cross-border UNESCO heritage item, the Struve Geodetic Arc consists of 34 points across 10 countries. Eighteen of the points are located in Lithuania, 3 of which have been mapped: one in Gireišiai, Rokiškio District, 55.9024934, 25.4366308; one in Paliepiukai, Vilniaus District.ž, 54.634535, 25.429893; and one in Meškonys, Vilniaus District, 54.931484, 25.316611.