The Gnomon of Saint-Sulpice is an astronomical measurement device located in the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, France. It is a gnomon, a device designed to cast a shadow on the ground in order to determine the position of the sun in the sky. In early modern times, other gnomons were also built in several Italian and French churches in order to better calculate astronomical events. Those churches are Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, San Petronio in Bologna, and the Church of the Certosa in Rome. These gnomons ultimately fell into disuse with the advent of powerful telescopes.
The obelisk portion of the gnomon of Saint-Sulpice Church, with the meridian line in the middle
Gnomon structure at Saint-Sulpice
Gnomon hole in the stained glass window at Saint-Sulpice
Latin and French inscriptions at the base of the obelisk. The mentions of the King and his Ministers were deleted. The name P.C.CL.LE MONNIER survives above right after the deletion.
The Church of Saint-Sulpice is a Catholic church in Paris, France, on the east side of Place Saint-Sulpice, in the Latin Quarter of the 6th arrondissement. Only slightly smaller than Notre-Dame and Saint-Eustache, it is the third largest church in the city. It is dedicated to Sulpitius the Pious. Construction of the present building, the second on the site, began in 1646. During the 18th century, an elaborate gnomon, the Gnomon of Saint-Sulpice, was constructed in the church.
Saint-Sulpice, Paris
Former Church of Saint-Sulpice, by Matthys Schoevaerts, 17th century
Inner choir with pilasters
South transept
