The geographical center of Europe is a hypothetical point, which indicates the geographical center of Europe. The location of this center depends on the definition of the European borders and the chosen methods of calculation. In addition, affected by the presence of inclusion of remote Islands in the list of the most extreme points of the European territory. It is for these reasons the title of the European geographic centre of the claim: a point near the village Business, the point to the South-West of Polotsk, the village Pornushka near Vilnius, the Grand entrance (North-Eastern part of Poland.) in Central Slovakia – village Krahule.

The first attempt to define the geographical center was made in 1775 Shimon Anthony Soberalski – maker and astrologer August Poniatowski, king of the Commonwealth. Then I decided that the Central point is located in the town of suchowola, namely on the market square in the Western part of Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

In 1885-1887, researchers, geographers from the Austro-Hungarian Empire decided to conduct a geodetic survey of the region in Transcarpathia in order to determine the place of construction of the railway. Studies have shown that the centre of Europe may be in Verhnedvinskoe depression.

In 1900, the German Empire began to carry out their own calculations. Geographers have found that Austrian measurements were erroneous. The German researchers believed that the European center is located in the city of Dresden the capital of Saxony, near the Church "Frauenkirche".

After the Second world war, Soviet scientists found that the version of the Austrians was correct and then sign, located in Rakhiv, was converted. 27 may 1977 next to the old sign was built Stela 7, 2 meters tall.

In 1989 the French scientists of the national Institute of geography identified a finding of the European geographic centre. He was a point near Vilnius (26 km North) in the village Pornushka. When scientists used the scientific method of centers of gravity.

Once the location was found, the question arose about its identification. The very first sign of the European geographic centre was established in 1991, which consisted of stone walls with a stove. The point was located on a hill near Barnothy. But to us, this monument has survived. Only later, thanks to the efforts of the society of Lithuanian geographers, in center field has found its place found on the nearby fields 9-ton stone. Geographers fastened metal panel with an appropriate inscription.

In the following year to preserve the environment of the European geographic centre of the Lithuanian Supreme Council established the special reserve map, devoted to the heart of Europe. In the area of the reserve is lake Girios and Alkalines – jenstvennaja mountain for the disposal of the Gentiles, and Barnetche the settlement. On the one hand the reserve is surrounded by forests. Barnetche hillfort is considered to be one of the oldest in Lithuania. There is an assumption that in ages 1-5 in its place was located a defensive fortress. Here archeologists found clay and moulded pieces of pottery.

Among the possible centers of Europe and is Krahule – Slovak town located near Kremnica. Now this place has a ski resort. In the place which is the center, stands a memorial stone, and there is also a hotel called the "Center of Europe".

In may 2004 opened the geographical center of Europe. This event contributed to the accession of Lithuania to the European Union. Was created sculptural composition the author Gediminas Iokubonisa. It was made of white granite column, in the upper part of which is a crown of stars.

At the end of may 2008 in the city of Polotsk was erected another monument – a memorial. This information about the geographical center of Europe was the Belarusian scientists found that Russian scientists have confirmed. But despite this, on the sign are very different coordinates, which suggests that the geographic center is located in the city of Polotsk.