Warsaw Meridian
Poland
The coordinates of the Warsaw meridian are marked as 52°14′40″N 21°00′42″E (according to the coordinate system used at that time). However, the engraved coordinates on the sidewalk plate differ from the current values. The precise coordinates of the meridian are actually 52°14′38.302963″N 21°00′33.036621″E. Additionally, the column displaying the information also includes text in Russian.
History
In the year 1880, a stone pillar was erected in the Theatre Square, located in front of the Jabłonowski Palace (which was then serving as the city hall). Enclosed by an iron railing, this pillar displayed a sign indicating its geographical location, height above sea level, and the level of the Vistula River. Notably, the Warsaw meridian intersected the top of the pillar and the clock tower of the Jabłonowski Palace, serving as significant reference points for measurements. However, it was not until 1965 that the sidewalk plate was added.
Coincidentally, four years after the construction of the Warsaw column, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) established itself as the international standard for time calculation worldwide, based on the Prime Meridian situated in Greenwich, London.
This historical meridian also made an appearance in the 1965 film "Pingwin" (known as "Penguin"), starring Zbigniew Cybulski.