The Struve Geodetic Arc consists of a chain of 265 triangulation survey stations. The chain was initiated and used by the astronomer and geodesist Friedrich von Struve to determine the exact shape and size of the earth. The Geodetic Arc is stretching from a station point at Hammerfest in Norway to a station point close to the Black sea in Ukraine, through ten countries and over 2,820 km. Friedrich von Struve carried out the triangulation measurements from 1816 to 1855. The Struve Geodetic Arc is an outstanding example of scientific collaboration among scientists from different countries. The Alatornio Church of Haparanda and Tornio is a station point of the Struve Geodetic Arc in Finland. The Tartu Tähetorn Observatory and the Alatornio Church in Estonia are the only buildings that were used for the measurements. One of the station points in Lithuania is located near Meskonys, a small village not far from Vilnius. The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes 34 of the station points, with different markings, such as drilled holes in a rock, iron crosses, obelisks and buildings. The 34 station points of the Struve Geodetic Arc were declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 2005. Work of Art: Friedrich von Struve.
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The Alatornio Church in Haparanda and Tornio is a station point of the Struve Geodetic Arc in Finland. The church was measured in 1842, the markings can still be seen on the walls of the tower. The Geodetic Arc was named after the scientist Friedrich von Struve, he established the Geodetic Arc to determine the exact shape and size of the Earth. The Geodetic Arc consists of a chain of 265 triangulation survey stations. The Struve Geodetic Arc gained status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2005, the listed World Heritage Site includes 34 station points.
