Warsaw Meridian

The Warsaw Meridian Column, officially recognized since 2022 as a monument of European Geodesy, is a historic column located in Theatre Square in Warsaw. It is often mistakenly identified with the Warsaw prime meridian or the 21°E meridian. Erected in 1872 at the request of Polish surveyor Józef Ippolitowicz Żyliński, the column served as a geodetic measurement point focused on geographical coordinates and magnetic measurements. At its top, a metal plate was installed, inscribed with geographical data and intersecting lines indicating directions on the map of Warsaw. Any measurements taken were conducted by geodetic institutions as part of an international triangulation network aimed at determining the length of the meter and various geodetic campaigns across Europe. The column survived World War II almost intact, despite significant destruction in its surroundings. Since the 1960s, it has been incorrectly associated with the Warsaw meridian. Featuring an elegant balustrade from 1873, the column adds historical value and architectural charm to Theatre Square. Following a restoration in 2022, it was fitted with a new informational plaque and unveiled again during the International Congress of Surveyors in Warsaw, highlighting its significance in the context of European geodesy. Interestingly, although the name "Warsaw Meridian" refers to this column, the actual Warsaw prime meridian passes through the University of Warsaw Astronomical Observatory, while the 21°E meridian—which does not align with the column’s location—indeed runs through central areas of Warsaw.