‘Guido Dresti’s Reconstructions’ is the name of a permanent exhibition of sundials and astronomical instruments that will be hosted at the historic Palazzo Guglielmi in Craveggia, Vigezzo Valley, Italy, from 26 July to 21 September. The exhibition will be open from 10 am to noon and from 5 pm to 7 pm.
The ancient building is located at 12 Via Provinciale, and the exhibition will also be open during the Christmas and Easter holidays by arrangement.
The inauguration will take place on 26 July 2025 at 5 pm, featuring a talk by horological historian Marisa Addomine. This will be followed by a guided tour.
The palace’s two rooms will display 53 instruments crafted by Guido Dresti over 25 years. These include the Antikythera mechanism, an equatorial clock (heliochronometer), a reproduction of Giovanni Dondi’s famous Astrarium, altitude, azimuth and mechanical sundials as well as astrolabes.
Gnomonics is the science of designing and building sundials. Guido Dresti is a lifelong enthusiast who has devoted himself to this ancient discipline since retiring. Over the past 25 years, his passion has led him to create several sundials.
He has been involved in restoring ancient sundials and creating new ones, particularly in the Ossola Valley and neighbouring Canton Ticino in Switzerland.
Guido Dresti regularly contributes to the activities of the Italian Gnomonics Association and attends national seminars. He is also a member of ‘La Voce di Hora’, an association specialising in mechanical horology.
He also collaborates with national and international experts.
His collection of instruments, which has been displayed in temporary exhibitions in various Italian and international cities, including Pavia, Milan, Prague and Bellinzona, can now be admired by visitors at Palazzo Guglielmi in Craveggia, the town where he was born and did most of his work.
The exhibition has been organised by the Municipality of Craveggia.
For further details, please contact:
the Comune di Craveggia on +39 0324 98033 or Guido Dresti on +39 347 5975258.
Please circulate and publish.
All photos: Guido Dresti.
