Cosmic Gardens

The role o f sundials in gardens structures

Abstract

The aim of writing this article is to focus on the role of sundials in the gardenstructures and open space design historical periods. Sundials were functional time-keeping elements in the Román Empire. The Horologium
Augusti was the first urban-size sundial calendar set on the Field of Mars, Romé. The shadow of the top of the obelisk was marked on the pavement. It symbolized the cosmic center of the Empire and the Universe. Sundials were used as everyday time-keeper equipment of the peristyle gardens, surrounded by perennials. In the Middle Age, vertical sundials were installed on towers and churches, so they became part of urban structure, and focus points of the city. Somé examples can be seen in Renaissance gardens, on inner walls. Sundial-parterres can be seen in J. C. Volskamer’s Hesperid Gardens in Niirnberg. This unique form of the parterre was planned probably by his father, who was engaged in sundial observations since Niirnberg was a center of astronomy in the 16 and 17th centuries. Other examples of horizontal garden elements, mostly made of topiary were in Oxford College Gardens (see in D. Loggan drawing). Later on, standing sundials, on pedestals became very popular. Their role was multifunctional: foci and navigational points in the garden structures and intellectual points with their Latin verses and quotes. In the 20th century, some adaptations are, where sundials became spiritual centers of personal gardens (G.B. Pniower or Csíksomlyó Prayer Garden).