Relógio Solar de Franca, Solar clock in Franca, Brazil
The Solar Clock of Franca is a cylindrical structure on Nossa Senhora da Conceição Square with a cube at its top for reading time. The east face displays morning hours while the west face shows afternoon hours.
A French Capuchin friar named Germano de Annecy built the clock between 1886 and 1887 using funds collected from local residents. The structure gained heritage protection status in 1972 and was recognized as important to the city's history.
The sundial represents a craft tradition that residents valued and that visitors can still observe in action on the plaza. It connects how people once read time to the rhythm of their daily routines.
The location is easily accessible from the central plaza and can be viewed from different angles to appreciate its details. Best light for reading the hours appears on the east side in morning and on the west side in afternoon.
Only one other vertical sundial of this exact design exists anywhere in the world, located in Annecy, France where the builder originated. This connection makes the two clocks rare examples of the same ingenious construction.
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