Nida Sundial (Nida - Curonian Spit, Lithuania)
N 55° 17.700 E 020° 59.438
34U E 499405 N 6127619
Quick Description: Unusual and really beautiful stele-type sundial you can find on the top of the Parnidis dune, one of key natural monuments of Curonian Spit (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Lithuania.
Location: Lithuania
Date Posted: 8/3/2012 3:02:25 PM
Waymark Code: WMF0R4
Views: 3
Long Description:
Unusual and really beautiful stele-type sundial you can find on the top of the Parnidis dune, one of key natural monuments of Curonian Spit (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Lithuania.
The horizontal sundial - a calendar, designed on the basis of the traditional gnomonic priciples and invoking modern mathematical techniques, was built on Parnidis dune in 1995.
A decorative granite sculpture was erected on Dune, emerging 53 m above the Baltic sea level. This is a ideal place for this kind of sundial as an absolute mathematical horizon opens up from the Dune. It is possible to observe the sun rising of the Curonian lagoon and setting into the Baltic sea. The stela sheds a shadow on the systems of stairs, in which the steps are raising up to noon. One step signifies aone hour. The rows of lightest stone steps signify the months, rows of grey stone equinoxes and solstices, and black stones the dark time on the day. The central stele is decorated with the symbols from the tradiotional festival and phenological events from the rune calendar, The stele, 12 m high, was broken down by the Anatoliy hurricane in 1999.
The Sundial is project of architect Ricardas Kristapavicius, prof. Libertas Klimka assisted as a specialist in the fields of old astronomy and sculptor Klaudijus Pudymas was responsible for creating an artistic part of the project.
