Charles Coletti Square

Commonly called "the square," in the past it was called Capo la Valle. It is still today the lugo where the main city streets meet, intersecting in turn with roads leading to Abruzzo. In addition to being the center of economic life, Carlo Coletti Square remains the symbol of political passion, as well as the social and cultural life of the people of Sandonatas.

After damage from the terrible flood of 1798, Mayor Carlo Coletti had the creek covered with a wide bridge, creating the present square in 1886. A plaque placed behind you commemorates the feat. In the following years, to defend against further flooding and improve connections, high walls and the characteristic stone bridges were built along the creek.

Carlo Coletti (1828-1893) was mayor of San Donato from 1870 to 1893. During his term he initiated major public projects that would modernize the town. These included: the road to Gallinaro (1873), the road to Alvito that would develop the Covento and Portella districts (1874), the Carabinieri station (1874), public lighting (1875), the municipal aqueduct (1884), the town hall in Via Orologio (1887), and the cemetery (1889).

The Sundial 

The Sundial located in Carlo Coletti Square, is a valuable example of art and science. Built in Naples in 1891 on a design donated by engineer Gaetano Musilli to the city, it was constructed by casting lead on marble and dominates the ancient "Capolavalle."

The hours indicated range from 7:30 a.m. antidawn to 4:30 p.m., with five-minute intervals. Local time is determined by the shadow cast by the stylus, a thin central rod.

Beyond the indication of time, the sundial:

- with "diurnal lines" or "declination lines" provides the trajectory of the sun's apparent diurnal motion at various times of the year-such as equinoxes and solstices-by shadowing the perforated round plate placed on the stylus;

- with the shape of an elongated figure eight (a geometric figure called a "lemniscate") gives the average noon time in Rome, which is different from that of St. Donatus;

- with the times indicated at the ends of the diurnal lines, gives the rising and setting of the sun in reference to the dates of the individual lines.

Complementing this magnificent work are the geographical data of San Donato (latitude north 41°42'; longitude east from the meridian of Rome 21').

The Sundial is a testament to the engineering talent of the time and an enduring symbol of local history between science and art.