Sundial Hôtel Dieu - Troyes

The sundial of the Hôtel-Dieu dates from 1764.

In reality, there are 2 different dials, which complement each other . One, located in the upper part of the wall, is similar to ordinary dials, but the other below has larger dimensions. The plan of the first is divided by the hour and half-hour lines, the second is more crowded: the zodiac sign, the month, the hour and the minute are displayed simultaneously.

The upper end of an iron bar, called the style, shows the hours by its shadow. At the end of this bar is fixed a perforated plate. The ray of light passing through the hole accurately indicates the time . In addition, the metal plate is supported by bars sealed to the wall and connected by a crosspiece. It is the shadow of one of these bars that is projected on the line of the month, and as each month corresponds to a sign of the zodiac, this is indicated by it.

There are 3 inscriptions (translated): "The heavens publish the glory of the Creator", "You are the work of the Most High, admirable sun" and "The irreparable time has fled".

This complete dial is a true masterpiece , revealing to the viewer the complexity of the concept of time . The meridian drawn on the south cutout fits perfectly into the chapel space and the entire dial is a real architectural success.

Willem Vandenameele