The Obelisk of the 16th Meridian in Chłopy is a stone monument commemorating the course of the 16th meridian of eastern geographic longitude through the area of the seaside town in the Mielno commune. The boulder, 2.3 metres high and weighing over 5 tonnes, is one of the most unusual tourist attractions in the region.
What is the 16th meridian and how was the obelisk created
The 16th eastern meridian is a line of geographic longitude running from the North Pole to the South Pole, crossing more than a dozen countries — from Norway, through Poland, Austria and Croatia, to Namibia. On the Polish Baltic coast, this line runs through Chłopy.
The obelisk was created in 2007 on the initiative of the “16th Meridian” Association, acting for the promotion and development of the town. Residents of Chłopy extracted a magnificent boulder from a nearby field and transported it to its current location. An information board describing the geographical significance of this point was placed on the stone.
Location and access
The monument is located on a forest path, about 300 metres east of Chłopy, in the direction of Mielenko. It is led to by the red cycle route (route E9), and a rest area with comfortable benches has been set up near the obelisk. It is a natural stop both for cyclists travelling the seaside route and for walkers.
It is worth combining a visit to the obelisk with a walk to the fishing marina in Chłopy, where you can see cutters, buy fresh fish and feel the atmosphere of an authentic fishing village. The Obelisk of the 16th Meridian is also an interesting point on the map of all attractions of the Mielno region.
Who is it for and why is it worth it
The Obelisk of the 16th Meridian in Chłopy is a place that will appeal to lovers of geographical curiosities, as well as families with children looking for educational points on a walking route. The opportunity to stand exactly on the meridian line and take a souvenir photo by the monumental boulder is an experience that stays in memory — especially with younger tourists.
The obelisk is accessible free of charge all year round, regardless of weather and time of day.
Price
Free entry — publicly accessible attraction without tickets.
