Intriguing isn’t it this Myriameterstein? This seemingly unassuming stone holds a secret. It whispers tales of meticulous surveys and precise measurements.
This Myriameterstein is one of many. They mark the Rhine’s course between Basel and Rotterdam. Each stone stands ten kilometers from the next. They were placed there to precisely map the river. This was after Gottfried Tulla straightened the Upper Rhine. The Central Commission for Rhine Navigation ordered the survey in 1864. Members included states bordering the Rhine: Baden Bavaria France Hessen Nassau the Netherlands and Prussia.
These weren’t just randomly placed. The Myriametersteine were carefully crafted. They are made of Ibbenbüren sandstone. Each stone measures about 120 x 50 x 50 centimeters. The top forms a flat four-sided pyramid. All four sides bear inscriptions. The side facing the Rhine shows the stone’s Roman numeral. Below that AP indicates the stone’s height above Amsterdam Peil. This was crucial for calculating the river’s gradient. On the land side the distances from Basel and to Rotterdam are shown. Sometimes distances to nearby national borders are also marked.
Originally each stone was painted black and white. They were used until about 1890. They were then replaced by national kilometer markers. Some Myriametersteine are still used as benchmarks for surveying. They stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era of careful engineering.
This Myriameterstein a modest monument. It represents international collaboration. It speaks to the precision of 19th-century surveying. It’s a fascinating piece of history standing right before you. Take a moment to appreciate this little-known piece of Dresden’s history.