UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Estonia

Struve Gedetic arc observatory Tartu University Estonia
The observatory at the University of Tartu, Estonia, where Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve worked, and which became the origin point of the Struve Geodetic Arc.

There are two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Estonia, one encompassing the historic Old Town of Tallinn and the other, the origin point of the Struve Geodetic Arc at the University of Tartu, which memorializes the significant scientific achievement of German-Russian scientist Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve, who was working at the University.

The Struve Geodetic Arc actually is marked in ten countries. It is a chain of survey triangulations, made between 1816 to 1855, that stretches from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, over 2,820 km (1750 miles,) to establish the exact size and shape of the earth.

The commemorative site at the University of Tartu contains a lot of the instruments von Struve used in his calculations, as well as his telescopes used in his significant work as an astronomer.

Cultural (2)

You can see our posts about other UNESCO World Heritage sites we've visited in Russia, Italy, Spain, the United States, and others. For the entire list of the UNESCO sites we've visited so far, click this link.

Up Your Travel Skills

Looking to book your next trip? Use these resources that are tried and tested by us.

First, to get our best travel tips, sign up for our email newsletter.

Then, be sure to start your reading with our Resources Page where we highlight all the great travel companies and products that we trust.

Travel Accessories: Check out our list of all the accessories we carry to make getting there and being there a lot easier.

Credit Cards: See our detailed post on how to choose the right travel rewards credit card for you.

Flights: Start finding the very best flight deals by subscribing to Thrifty Traveler.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with Booking.com.

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. We recommend Allianz Travel Insurance.

See all of the gear and books we like in one place on our Amazon shop.

Leave a Comment

If you liked this post, please share it.

Thanks.