21-Jun-2001 -- On our way from
Linz to
Brno we chose the route via the 'Waldviertel' and to make a short sidestep to this confluence. Even as 3rd visitor it was a very interesting visit. Two new facts were discovered:
1. There is a meridian stone set up by the community of Litschau together with the 'Eich- und Vermessungsamt' (pic#3)
2. Everything is forbidden in these huge forests belonging to the Earl of Litschau (Family Seilern-Aspang - pic#2)
We entered the area of the confluence via the open gate with a lot of prohibition signs (even bikes – see pic#2 & pic#4). We followed the 'Meridianstein' sign and met some friendly forest workers (pic#7). They told us to follow the forest road until another sign and then to continue led by green marks on the trees.
As we crossed a clearing (see pic#5 – upper part) we could already see the meridian stone. We were surprised that our GPS did not match with the stone. While searching the exact position we walked down to the Stankauer Teich (Stankovsky rybnik) and crossed the border to the Czech republic several times (pic#4 & #5). As mentioned by the previous visitors it is very difficult to locate the spot in spite of the high trees. We suppose that the place is somewhere between the trees, close to the lake and the border, but for sure about 100m away from the stone (pic#6) which is not visible from the confluence WGS84 area.
My calculations later on indicated that the meridian stone is probably referenced by the MGI coordinate system with is used by the Austrian Authorities. Up to now I could not get a confirmation for my inquiry to the 'Eich- und Vermessungsamt.' This fact may also apply to
48°N 15°E.
See more pictures at
http://members.fortunecity.com/augdoppl/Main/49N15E.htm.