Rosreestr flag at an altitude of 1196 meters above sea level — on the edge of the Ai-Petri plateau

CrimeaPRESS reports:

Specialists from the Geodesy and Cartography Department of the Rosreestr Office for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol are monitoring the condition of points of the state geodetic network and today visited the Ai-Petrinsky Meridian, checking its safety. The Ai-Petrinsky meridian is a geodetic sign that looks like a cast iron ball and stands on a stone pedestal, its diameter is about a meter. The sign was built on the edge of the Ai-Petri plateau in 1913 at an altitude of 1196 meters above sea level.

On the pedestal there is a tablet, which is decorated with a double-headed eagle, and the inscription: “G.U.3.3. — O.3.U. — the main benchmark of Crimean water surveys. “Established in 1913.” The abbreviations are deciphered as follows: “Main Directorate of Land Management and Agriculture — Department of Land Improvements.”

There are 1,258 points of the state geodetic network on the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol; monitoring of each point must be carried out once every 3-4 years. Rosreestr carries out a lot of work every day to maintain points of geodetic, leveling and gravimetric networks in proper condition,” notes Yulia Izosimina, chief specialist-expert of the geodesy and cartography department of the Rosreestr Office for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol.

Historical reference:

The geodetic sign “Ai-Petrinsky Meridian” was erected for precise topographic “referencing”. In the first year of work of the Crimean water survey party, which in 1913–1917. carried out a huge amount of work on the construction of various hydraulic structures and research work on Ai-Petri. Employees of this party built a monument on Ai-Petri, giving it the name “Ai-Petri Meridian”, simultaneously determining its geographical coordinates (44°28′ north latitude and 34°05′ east longitude) and height.

From 1913 to 1918, during the entire period of the Party’s work, not only eminent, but also young promising scientists, such as N.N. Klepinin, took part in it. (soil scientist), Shamov G.I. (specialist in the field of river sediments), Nenko Ya.T. (hydraulic engineer), Zhaba A.K. (hydraulic engineer), Pavlovsky N.N. (academician), Potapov M.V. (academician), Kocherin D.I. (an engineer who later headed Krymvodkhoz).

Thanks to the work and research of these people, an entire stationary hydrometric network was created, which formed the basis of the modern system for studying the rivers and springs of the peninsula. Within five years, 80 gauging stations will be opened. In 1916, water flow was already determined on 120 rivers and gullies and 1200 springs. In the upper reaches of Salgir, on the Ai-Petrinskaya Yayla and other areas of the mountainous Crimea, studies were carried out on the possibility of building dams and constructing reservoirs. And until now, reservoirs are one of the most important sources of water supply in Crimea.

“Ai-Petrinsky Meridian” is already considered not just a reference point, but a monument to all learned men who, at the beginning of the 20th century, during the troubled and difficult years of the revolution, civil war and the difficult first years of Soviet power, devoted all their strength to studying an issue so important for the residents of Crimea water supply

During the Patriotic War of 1941-1945, having precise geographical coordinates, the Ai-Petri meridian was used for adjusting and guiding artillery. It was hit by a direct hit from a German shell. And now, after restoration, traces of bullets and shrapnel are visible on it. Next to it stands a monument to the Crimean partisans.

Now the benchmark itself has been “improved” — the hole in the ball has been cemented, the ball is painted blue, and a new sign has appeared telling about this historical event.

press service: press service of the Rosreestr Office for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol

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