the column is just in front of the Heideberg tower on the hiking trail and dates from the Saxon times.
Station No. 11 (Strauch) is a first-order station of the triangular network of the Royal Saxon Triangulation. In the 19th century, the optical measuring devices were fixed on the monolith in order to locate other stations for surveying purposes. Most of these technical monuments are still preserved and as they all stand on hilltops they always offer a great view of Saxony as a destination.
From this station the stations of the 1st order No. 1 (Ossling), No. 6 (Valtenberg), No. 7 (Porsberg), No. 10 Keulenberg, No. 12 (Baeyerhöhe), No. 18 (Collm), No. . 29 Buchberg, No. 30 (Großdobritz) No. 31 (Baselitz) No. 35 (Waida), as well as the base ends of the Großenhainer baseline No. 32 and 34 and the 2nd order stations No. 68 (Galgenberge), No. 69 (Schweinfuth), No. 70 (Jacobsthal) and No. . 71 (Glaubitz) targeted. This indicates a central importance of the measuring point on the northern edge of the triangular network. This elevation in the former Saxon-Prussian border area today offers a great panoramic view of the nearby Heideturm. Entry to the tower is free.
The Royal Saxon Triangulation is still considered a technical masterpiece and was the most precise land survey in Europe in the 19th century.