Fundamental point
As the fundamental point, Zimmerwald geostation is operated jointly by swisstopo and the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern. It is used both for national surveying and for research in astronomy and geodesy.

Zimmerwald - source of the new national survey
Zimmerwald represents the modern «fundamental point» for the Swiss coordinates system. Here, numerous geodetic instruments perform a broad variety of tasks. With the introduction of the new national survey LV95, which is basically defined by a reference network comprising approximately 200 points in Switzerland, the original fundamental point at the old observatory in Bern was "transferred" to Zimmerwald.
Today, Zimmerwald geostation may justifiably be called the fundamental point for the national survey. Using various observation methods, including GPS (Global Positioning System) and SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging), the reference networks of the Swiss national survey can be connected to the European or global reference frames with a high degree of accuracy. Since these measurements are based on two entirely different methods, connections to other reference frames are independently corroborated. Both methods allow connections to be made with accuracy in the millimetre range.
P.O. Box
3084 Wabern
- Tel.
- +41 58 469 01 11
Relevant authority
Geodesy and Federal Directorate of Cadastral Surveying