Sundial

Erected in 1764, this 2.56-meter-high monument is an architectural relic from the former Neubourg Abbey.

Acquired by the City of Haguenau in 1884, it consists of several carefully assembled sandstone blocks.

Its central element features four sundials, each serving a specific purpose.

On the south face, a Judaic or biblical sundial is placed at the top, while a dial indicating local solar time is at the bottom.

The east and west faces display symmetrical sundials, reflecting harmony in their design.

The north face bears a Latin inscription from a biblical verse: "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour when your Lord will come."

Above each sundial on the south face, straight gnomons—vertical rods—are embedded in the sandstone. Their shadow, cast by the sun, allows the time to be determined by following its path across the sky.

Reading these dials also relies on engraved markings around them. To aid understanding, an explanatory panel and a QR code are installed near the monument.