Picoto da Melriça
 The monument | |
  Location in Portugal | |
| Coordinates | 39°41′40″N 8°07′50″W / 39.69444°N 8.13056°WCoordinates: 39°41′40″N 8°07′50″W / 39.69444°N 8.13056°W |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 m2 (32 sq ft)[1] |
| Height | 9 m (30 ft)[1] |
| Beginning date | 1802[1] |
Picoto da Melriça is a monument and the geodesic centre of mainland Portugal. Constructed in 1802, the triangulation station sits on top of the Serra da Melriça, a 592 m (1,942 ft) high mountain range in the municipality of Vila de Rei, offering a 360° view of its surroundings. Despite being the geodesic centre, it is not the geometric centre of mainland Portugal, which is located in the neighboring Mação.[1][2][3]
Predating the construction of the monument, Francisco António Ciera, a mathematician and cartographer was commanded by Maria I of Portugal to create a triangulation of the Kingdom of Portugal, a job he delegated from 1788 to 1803. The construction of the station took place in 1802.[1]
A museum (Museu da Geodesia) was created in 2002 next to the monument.[4]
References[]
- ^ a b c d e "Picoto da Melriça em Vila de Rei é o centro geodésico de Portugal". Viagens aos locais que importam (in European Portuguese). 13 July 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ Lusa, Filipa Parreira. "Centro de Portugal afinal não está em Vila de Rei" (in Portuguese). Público. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ "Pico da Melriça: Aqui é o centro de Portugal?" (in European Portuguese). Os Meus Trilhos. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ "Museu de Geodesia". Município de Vila de Rei. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- Geography of Portugal