Struve Geodetic Arc

Finland, Norway, Russia, Ukraine, Maldova, Estonia, Belarus, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania 

Missing: Lithuania

The Struve Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through 10 countries and over 2,820 km. These are points of a survey, carried out between 1816 and 1855 by the astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve, which represented the first accurate measuring of a long segment of a meridian. This helped to establish the exact size and shape of the planet and marked an important step in the development of earth sciences and topographic mapping. It is an extraordinary example of scientific collaboration among scientists from different countries, and of collaboration between monarchs for a scientific cause. The original arc consisted of 258 main triangles with 265 main station points. The listed site includes 34 of the original station points, with different markings, i.e. a drilled hole in rock, iron cross, cairns, or built obelisks. Source whc.unesco.org

Latvia: Sestukalns and Jekabpils

Thanks to Ms Nadia for sending this card from Spain.

Moldova: Rudi Village

Thanks to Mr Tiago for send this this card from Portugal.

Estonia: Tartu Observatory

Thanks to Mr Patrik.

Norway: Hammerfest

Thanks to Jo Heggland.

Finland: Oravivuori

Thanks to Ms Sini

Finland: Alatornion Kirkko Church

Thanks to Ms Sini

Russia: Gogland Island

Thanks to Mr Vadim

Ukraine: Staraya Nekrasovka

Thanks to Ms Olesya

Belarus: Ossownitza

Thanks to Ms Katya

Belarus: Various Points

Thanks to Ms Lisa.

Sweden: Perra Vaara, Haparanda

Thanks to Ms Merja Deb. Bottom row (L-R) third box is Struve Geodetic Arc.

Poland/ Belarus: Belovezhskaya Pushcha / Białowieża Forest

Białowieża Forest is one of the last and largest remaining parts of the immense primeval forest that once stretched across the European Plain. The forest is home to 800 European bison, Europe's heaviest land animal. The World Heritage Committee by its decision of June 2014 approved the extension of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Belovezhskaya Pushcha/Białowieża Forest, Belarus, Poland”, which became “Białowieża Forest, Belarus, Poland”. It straddles the border between Poland and Belarus, and is 70 kilometres north of Brest, Belarus and 62 kilometres southeast of Białystok, Poland. The Białowieża Forest World Heritage site covers a total area of 141,885 ha. Since the border between the two countries runs through the forest, there is a border crossing available for hikers and cyclists.

Inscribed: 1979 Ext: 1992, 2014

Poland- Postcard 1

Thanks to "Ania Postcrossing"

Poland- Postcard 2

Thanks to Mr Boguslaw

Belarus

Thanks to Ms Tanya

Belarus: Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh

The Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh is located in central Belarus. The Radziwill dynasty, who built and kept the ensemble from the 16th century until 1939, gave birth to some of the most important personalities in European history and culture. Due to their efforts, the town of Nesvizh came to exercise great influence in the sciences, arts, crafts and architecture. The complex consists of the residential castle and the mausoleum Church of Corpus Christi with their setting. The castle has ten interconnected buildings, which developed as an architectural whole around a six-sided courtyard. The palaces and church became important prototypes marking the development of architecture throughout Central Europe and Russia. Source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2005

                                                
Thanks to Ms Ladyche.

Belarus: Mir Castle Complex

The construction of this castle began at the end of the 15th century, in Gothic style. It was subsequently extended and reconstructed, first in the Renaissance and then in the Baroque style. After being abandoned for nearly a century and suffering severe damage during the Napoleonic period, the castle was restored at the end of the 19th century, with the addition of a number of other elements and the landscaping of the surrounding area as a park. Its present form is graphic testimony to its often turbulent history. Source:whc.unesco.org

Inscribed: 2000

Thanks to Ms Elena.