The Societat Catalana de Gnomónica (Catalan Gnomonic Society) is, among other cultural groups, a

non-profit association A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

that promotes all aspects of sundials. One of the most interesting aspects of this association is the creation and conservation of an inventory of existing sundials in the

Catalan Countries The Catalan Countries (, ) refers to the territories where the Catalan language is spoken. They include the Spanish regions of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Valencian Community, and parts of Aragon ('' La Franja'') and Murcia ( Carche), as ...

. The database is of free access and has about 7,300 references.

Foundation

The ''Societat Catalana de Gnomónica'' (Association for the study of the sundial and the measurement of time) has been established since 1988 and is governed by the Statutes approved by the

Generalitat of Catalonia The Generalitat de Catalunya (; ; ), or the Government of Catalonia, is the institutional system by which Catalonia is Self-governance, self-governed as an autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain. It is made up of the Parli ...

and by Law 4/2008, of April 24, of the third book of the Civil Code of Catalonia, relative to legal persons. Register of Associations no. 10,463.

Objectives

The association aspires to bring together everyone who is interested in the various aspects of the study and promotion of the techniques and arts related to

Gnomonics Gnomonics (from the ancient Greek word γνώμων, , meaning 'interpreter, discerner') is the study of the design, construction and use of sundials. The foundations of gnomonics were known to the ancient Greek Anaximander (ca. 550 BCE), which au ...

and the measurement of time. The fundamental objectives of this association are: * Encourage the study and research of sundials and other instruments related to the measurement of time, promoting their construction, recovery and restoration, promoting the publication of publications on the subject (translations, monographs, newsletters, reissues, etc.) * Promote exchange with other related associations, advising and collaborating with entities and organizations to carry out activities related to the objectives of the association, organizing and promoting such related activities, such as: conferences, meetings, courses, exchanges, contests, visits, travel, etc.

Publications

* ''La Busca de Paper''. - From the beginning, the SCG has published a newsletter based on the studies and activities carried out. (In summer 2021 there were 99 issues published). This publication is mentioned in numerous works on the subject. * Rellotges de sol de Catalunya: a heritage to be discovered. ** Sundials. ** Solar quadrants.

Database with 7000+ sundials

The association has created and maintains up to date a database of technical data sheets of more than 7000 sundials permanently installed in public spaces throughout

Catalonia Catalonia is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a ''nationalities and regions of Spain, nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia of 2006, Statute of Autonomy. Most of its territory (except the Val d'Aran) is situate ...

and

Andorra Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra, is a Sovereignty, sovereign landlocked country on the Iberian Peninsula, in the eastern Pyrenees in Southwestern Europe, Andorra–France border, bordered by France to the north and Spain to A ...

. It is being used as a reference in the lists of sundials of the Catalan wikipedia for example i
the sundial
located in the

monastery of Santes Creus The Monastery of ''Santa Maria de Santes Creus'', () is a former Cistercian monastery in the municipality of Aiguamúrcia, Catalonia, Spain. The abbey was erected in the 12th century, in today's municipality of Aiguamúrcia, in the village of S ...

Sundial at the South Pole

With the patronage of the ''Societat Catalana de Gnomónica'' there is a sundial installed at the Amundsen-Scott Station.

Similar associations

Throughout time there have been all kinds of entities that have promoted the construction of sundials and the conservation of existing ones. Apparently, however, the existence of specialized amateur societies exclusively in the gnomonic is very scarce. * An official French entity is the Commission des Cadrans solaires, attached to the ''

Société astronomique de France The Société astronomique de France (SAF; ), the France, French astronomical society, is a non-profit association in the public interest organized under French law (Association loi de 1901). Founded by astronomer Camille Flammarion in 1887, its ...

''. * 1988. '' Asociación Amigos Relojes de Sol (AARS),'' based in Madrid. ** ''Analema'' magazine publication (1991-2005) * 1994. ''Commission des Cadrans solaires du Québec,'' based in Quebec. ** Publication ''Le Gnomiste''. * The ARCA Patrimonio (Asociación para la Revitalización de los Centros Antiguos de Mallorca) has a Sundial Commission.ARCA - Comissió de rellotges de sol.
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References

External links

Sociedad Catalana de Gnomónica Web oficialAsociación Amigos de los Relojes de Sol (AARS) Web oficial
{{Authority control Sundials