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Work for nomination

The Latvian work for nomination of the Struve Geodetic Arc on the UNESCO World Heritage List has mainly been carried out by specialists from Latvian Geospatial Information Agency and lecturers and students from Riga Technical University Civil engineering faculty Department of Geomatics.

Current work

In 2015 specialists from Latvian Geospatial Information Agency carried out inspection of all 16 Struves geodetic arc points in Latvia. After inspection summarized report with current information about each Struve geodetic arc point was prepared. Also a point’s passport was prepared for each point of the Struves geodetic arc and a photo fixation was carried out.

In May 11, 2018 the first meeting of Struve Geodetic Arc Preservation and Development Council was held. The Council consists of 17 members: 3 representatives from Latvian Geospatial Information Agency (LGIA), 1 representative from UNESCO Latvia, 2 representatives from the National Heritage Protection Inspection and one representative from each municipalities with Struve Geodetic arc points (11). In the meeting the Council's Statute is planned to approve. Also Struve Geodetic Arc Management plan developed by LGIA will be discussed.

Results

Latvia is the only country in which both Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve, as well Karl Tenner made measurements and built the station points. Wilhelm von Struve surveyed Northern part of Latvia till the point Jacobstatd, while Karl Tenner surveyed points in Southern part of Latvia – from Bristen to Pilkaln. There are 16 points entirely, from whom 11 are organized by Struve and 5 are organized by Tenner.

Two station points of Struve Geodetic Arc chain in Latvia - Sestu-kalns (Ziestu kalns) and Jacobstatd (Jēkabpils) are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Sestu-kalns geodetic point of Struve Meridian is located on the Ziestu hill (216,5 above sea level) in Sausneja Municipality, Madona Distric, close to the road Ērgļi – Koknese.
During establishing of the chain in 1824, point Sestu-kalns was properly marked and remain untouched until 1904, when Russian Military surveyors reconstructed it and included in new 1st Class triangulation chain and tied it up to prior line Sestu-kalns – Gaissa-kalns of the Struve Chain. Reconstructed point was marked with large granit stone carying inscribed year of reconstruction and the cross-typical surveying symbol.

The geodetic station point Jacobstatd, which also served as the place of astronomical observation, is located in Jekabpils town, Struve park. Total area of the park is 1,2 ha and it is tight by Struve street, both named to honour work of outstanding geodesist and astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve.
The measuring of point Jacobstatd concluded the establishing the part of Struve chain- from Tarty to Jekabpils, these works were completed between 1822-1827. This point served as tieback to triangulation chains in Kurzeme and Lithuania, established by Karl Tenner. Through the establishing of the Jacobstatd point the Struve’s intention to include the survey triangulations of Vidzeme and Estonia in united Meridian was materialized. Jacobstatd point was measured and established in May—June 1826.

In August 17-19 2011 specialists of Latvian Geospatial Information Agency and Riga Technical University organized an expedition to geodetic station point Bristen in Jaunjelgava District. The task of the expedition was to detect precise location of geodetic station point and to find the foundation of the Observatory. During 3 days of investigation work the Bristen geodetic station point and part of the observatory’s foundation were found. In fact only in August 31st the exact station point was completely revealed – it was located under a brick layer foud in 19th August and considered as the real geodetic point. The granit stone covered by bricks is carying inscribed year of foundation 1828 and the sign of cross.

In September 14, 2015 specialists of Latvian Geospatial Information Agency organized an expedition to Struve geodetic arc point Dabors-kalns in Sala District. The task of the expedition was to lift off 1st order triangulation point Daborkalns and to uncover lower benchmark. Under triangulation point there was a large stone plate with marked center approximately 5 cm in diameter.

Aluksne county

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Gulbene county

Struve Geodetic Arc point Ramkau
Point Ramkau was measured from July 8th to July 10th in 1824 under Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve supervision. Observations were made to 4 points from the point Ramkau - Kortenhof, Palzmar, Nessaule-kalns un Elkas-kalns. The height of the point Ramkau was 121 tuaze or 235,8 metres. Since 2017 Struve Geodetic Arc point Ramkau has been included in the list of State protected cultural monuments as an Industrial monument of national significance.
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Visit Gulbene

Jekabpils county

2015
The mural dedicated to Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve and the 10th anniversary since Struve Geodetic Arc was added to the World Heritage List has been painted on the wall of the building at Jekabpils Old Town square.
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The mural dedicated to the 10th anniversary since Struve Geodetic Arc was added to the World Heritage List
2018
Restoration of the Struve Geodetic Arc point Arbidani (Selpils parish, Jekabpils county). At present point has been restored and marked with lead poured into a stone slab. In the future, it is planned to create tourism infrastructure here.
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Reconstructed point Arbidani (Selpils parish, Jekabpils County)
2020, summer
At Krustpils castle (Struve Geodetic Arc point Kreuzburg, Jekabpils) after extensive reconstruction a new historical exposition has been opened and is available for visitors. Exposition also offers to explore the significance of Struve Geodetic Arc and have an insight into the process of the creation of the Arc.
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Struve exposition in Krustpils Castle ( Jekabpils city)
2021, June 19th
Opening of reconstructed Struve Park in Jekabpils city. The Park that houses the point of Struve Geodetic Arc Jacobstadt (Jekabpils) has been renovated – a new lighting line was built, walking paths were reconstructed, landscaping improvement works were carried out, as well as infrastructure and environmental objects were installed. Park is equipped with infrastructure objects - benches, waste bins, bicycle stands, as well as new environmental objects in the form of cognitive play devices - kaleidoscope, telescope, dome, water game and various interesting mirrors.
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Reconstructed Struve Park ( Jekabpils City)
2021, September 25th
Opening of watch tower Taborkalns (Selpils parish, Jekabpils county) beside the point of Struve geodetic arc Dabors-kalns. Tower is 28 meters high. Point is marked with a stone. Territory is suited for travelers – has information signs and stands, parking, resting area and WC.
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Improved Struve Geodetic Arc point Dabors-kalns (Selpils parish, Jekabpils County)

Madona county

Point Sestu-kalns of the Struve Geodetic Arc
Surveyed in 1824 under the supervision of Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve. A forest trail leads up the hill, and it is just 0.5 km from the parking to the point. Lat, lon: 56.840097, 25.636758, Sausnējas pagasts, Madonas novads.
Try out the mint at the Sausnēja rural territory history museum “Līdumi” to make your own souvenir coin “Sestu-kalns”, and study the interactive stand “Struve Geodetic Arc”. Līdumi, Sausnējas pagasts, Madonas novads, tel. +371 26284889.
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Struve Geodetic Arc point Sestu-kalns
Point Gaissa-kalns of the Struve Geodetic Arc
Surveyed in 1824 under the supervision of Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve. The original point has not survived, but its site is located on the highest hill in Latvia Gaiziņkalns (311.94 m above sea level). Take the Gaiziņkalns trail to access the site of the point. The overall length of the trail is 2 km, and just 0.4 km from the parking to the point. Lat, lon: 56.870069, 25.959355, Bērzaunes pagasts, Madonas novads.
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Struve Geodetic Arc point Gaissa-kalns
Point Nessaule-kalns of the Struve Geodetic Arc
Surveyed in 1824 under the supervision of Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve, reconstructed in 2019. Located on Nesaules Hill (284.2 m above sea level) in the nature reserve “Nesaules kalns” (established in 1957). The point can be accessed by taking a forest road and trail, and it is around 1.1 km one way. Lat, lon: 56.9602356, 26.1848377, Aronas pagasts, Madonas novads.
An interactive stand “Struve Geodetic Arc” is available at Cesvaine Tourism Centre. Pils iela 2, Cesvaine, Madonas novads.
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Struve Geodetic Arc point Nessaule-kalns

Pictures

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Struve Geodetic Arc point Sestu-kalns UNESCO Information plate near Struve Geodetic Arc point Sestu-kalns
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Struve Geodetic Arc point Jacobstadt UNESCO Information plate near Struve Geodetic Arc point Jacobstadt
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Struve Geodetic Arc point Bristen Model of field observatory near Struve Geodetic Arc point Bristen
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Struve Geodetic Arc point Dabors-kalns Field work in Struve Geodetic Arc point Dabors-kalns
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Struve Geodetic Arc point Oppekaln Struve Geodetic Arc point Kreutzburg
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The approximate location of Struve Geodetic Arc point Ramkau The approximate location of Struve Geodetic Arc point Nessaule-kalns
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Reconstructed Struve Park - location of Struve Geodetic Arc point Jacobstadt Krustpils Castle - location of Struve Geodetic Arc point Kreutzburg

External Links

Struve_UNESCO_logo.jpg UNESCO Latvian National Commission
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