Soltorget: World's Largest Sundial

The world’s biggest sundial today is in the Torne River Valley, north of the Arctic Circle. The Guinness Book of Records has put Pajala, northern Sweden, on the map, and its sundial - formed as a “round square”. The sundial in Pajala, 38.33 m. in diameter, holds the world record, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The previous record was held by Disney World in Orlando, Florida, with 37.18 m.

The central square in Pajala, through its size and latitude, offered conditions for a sundial dedicated to the Midnight Sun. Architect Mats Winsa took his inspiration from the square in Siena, and for the sculptures in the park - astronomical instruments in India dating back to the 18th century. Naturally, it was a challenge to compete with the previous record from 1991 by the world-famous Japanese architect, Arata Isozaki.

The sundial captures the sun’s movement by allowing the shadow of the central gnomon to fall across the hour divisions of the surrounding posts. The gnomon, like the Earth’s axis, points toward the Pole Star, which according to Finnish-Ugrian mythology (the region has Finnish roots) holds up the firmament. The “sun wheel” embedded in the ground here (forming a cross in the circle) is in fact a calendar. Water bubbles up from four sources corresponding to the four principal points of the compass. The water gathers in the central pond, which was designed with children in mind. Source: Pajala Kommun