The time-honoured practice of sundialling might be considered as an old or forgotten practice, yet it is a tradition that has been carried down through Maltese generations.
The sundial is essentially an instrument used to measure time according to the position of the sun. However, the principles of the function of sundials are nowhere near straightforward and require the skills of a true engineer.
They are not precise devices and, according to the month of the year, the time indicated by the shadow created by the gnomon (a thin rod attached to the face of the sundial at a 36 degree angle) may be off by up to 14 minutes, sundial expert Frank Ventura notes.
These intriguing instruments do not only tell you the time of the day, some also reveal the month, which is generally indicated by rudimentary zodiac symbols that are commonly associated to astrology.
Besides the generally symmetrical divisions on the sundial's face marking the time of day, other divisions indicate the spring and autumn equinoxes as well as the summer and winter solstices.
Depending on their positioning, some sundials may be more difficult to construct than others. The easiest to make are those facing south and record the 24-hour day. Other sundials may be constructed facing east or west. However, these only indicate 12-hour portions of the day.
Sundials can be found in awkward or obscure places and also in public or private areas. The Dominican Priory of St Dominic, in Rabat, for example, has no fewer than five sundials. Hidden away from public view, four are found high on the walls of the cloister and the fifth is exposed on the outer western wall of the priory. The ones found on three sides of the cloister date to 1717 and were made by convent prior and sundial expert Benedetto Castroni.
Mr Ventura explains that there are different kinds of sundials: horizontal and diagonal sundials are found on the ground, floors or on pedestals while vertical sundials are integrated into walls.
Although the first sundial was found in ancient Egypt or Babylon and dates back to 1300 BC , the oldest surviving example in the Maltese Islands is found in a residence in Xewkija and dates to 1540.
One of the most sophisticated and accurate sundials in Malta is found at the Archbishop's Seminary in Tal-Virtù, Rabat. This was made by Fr George Fenech in 1984, an engineer and avid maker of sundials. Several of his works can be found across the country.
Malta possesses some unique sundial examples, Mr Ventura points out. A large horizontal one is found at the Mosta Technopark and the Maritime Museum, in Vittoriosa, has a hand-held sundial that doubles up as a compass.
Every year, the Malta Astronomical Society holds a tour focusing on examples of sundials found in different urban and rural environments.
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