The Sesto sundial

Largest stone sundial in the world

The five Dolomite peaks of Cima Nove, Cima Dieci (Croda Rossa di Sesto), Cima Undici, Cima Dodici and Cima Uno form a unique spectacle of nature - the largest stone sundial in the world, the Sesto sundial. At 2582 m the Cima Nove is the lowest peak of the sundial. At 3094 m altitude the Cima Dodici is among the peaks of over 3,000 metres. It is situated near the hikers’ and climbers’ paradise 3 Peaks.
Sonnenuhr - Foto Daniel Peer (2)


How does the sundial in the Dolomites work?
Seen from Bagni di Moso / Val Fiscalina the movement of the sun matches the names of the mountains (ranging from the number 9 “Nove” to the number 1 “Uno”). At the time of the winter solstice the midday sun stands exactly above the Cima Dodici and at 1 pm it shines precisely on the summit of the Cima Uno. Another mountain obscures the view of the sun at 9 am and 10 am from Bagni di Moso, but the same principle applies.
The Romans used a different method of dividing time and began counting at sunrise. 12 Noon therefore was the sixth hour, the “sexta hora”. Historians see this as an indication that the town name of Sesto, “Sexten”, derives from the Cima Dodici that once showed the “sexta hora”.

Also of interest
North of the winter solstice point of the “Cima Uno”, at a height of 1412 m there is an area with the name of “Heidegg”. It is assumed that this site is an early settlement and cultic site.