Menkema Manor, Uithuizen

Two unusual sundials can be found in the gardens of Menkema Manor in Uithuizen. The pictures here were taken in May 1999 and April 2000.

Multiple dial

First of all there is this superb multiple pole-style dial, dating from 1722.

The base carries two cubes, rotated 45°; each side has a vertical dial. The gnomon on the north face of the lower cube (left-hand picture below) has accidentally been mounted upside down many years ago. It should point upward to Polaris.

The gilded head is crowned by a twelve-pointed star. The edge of each point serves as the pole-style of a small polar dial, the plate of which is divided over the two adjoining sides.
Finally there are two equatorial dials, on the top and bottom faces of the star.

Altogether, this sculpture carries 34 dials. This is not a record multiple dial; that honor goes to the companion at Fraeylema Manor.

Location: 53.4° N, 6.7° E

Large horizontal dial

In the back of the gardens a large horizontal dial can be found. The pole-style is a wooden post. The hour points are marked by box trees; the noon point has a pair of trees.
Why this dial is set in the most shady corner of the park? "Landscape architectural considerations", said the curator...

This object is a reconstruction of a dial that was discovered on a painting of Scheltkema-Nijenstein Manor by an unknown 17th century artist. That manor stood several kilometers south of here and was pulled down in 1811.

Location: 53.4° N, 6.7° E
Inauguration: 1988

Lost equatorial dial

The vegetable garden (behind the red-roofed barn at the left on the bird's eye view below) once housed a very nice armillary sphere. No trace of it can be found anymore.
The picture at the right is not very sharp, but it shows that this dial was also nicely gilded. It has two extra equatorial hour rings next to the poles.

Location: 53.4° N, 6.7° E

Menkema Manor dates back from the 14th century. In the early part of the 18th century the Manor was drastically renovated and the gardens were laid out in the French style. After the estate was donated to the Groningen Museum in the early 20th century, the Manor and the gardens have been restored according to these plans. The museum now gives a vivid impression of daily life on an 18th century Groningen Manor.

The multiple sundial is located in the round bed at the bottom of the picture above. The horizontal dial is at the end of the path leading from there to the upper right.
At the very top, just above the central roof, a corner of the large hedge maze shows up.

Concise website on Menkema Manor (in Dutch)
Sundial at Fraeylema Manor
Sundial at Verhildersum Manor