Monument to the Sun, Solar-powered art installation at waterfront, Zadar, Croatia
The Monument to the Sun is a large circular art installation embedded in the harbor waterfront, made of hundreds of glass sections fitted with solar panels. The entire structure sits within the stone pavement and captures sunlight during the day to power the display.
The installation was completed in 2008 as part of Zadar's waterfront renewal project. A major renovation took place in 2019 to restore and upgrade its systems.
The installation displays engraved names of saints from nearby churches and tracks the sun's position throughout the year as a working calendar. This connection between the artwork and local faith creates a place where visitors naturally notice the link between their surroundings and the region's spiritual heritage.
The installation is openly accessible at ground level and sits directly in the public harbor area where you can walk across it freely. The best time to visit is from dusk onwards, when the lights become visible and create the most interesting visual effect.
The glass panels absorb solar energy during the day and release it as colored light patterns at night, making the monument look completely different depending on when you visit. These light displays actually sync with the music from the nearby Sea Organ, creating an unexpected connection between two separate artworks.
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