Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England
© Captain Skyhigh/Getty Image
The mystery of Stonehenge. Summer solstice
The ancient monument of Stonehenge has fascinated people for centuries. Estimated to have been built between 3000 and 2000 BCE in the English county of Wiltshire, its large standing stones remain an enigma. Exactly why and how this massive stone circle was built are still debated. What we do know, is that it was done without metal tools or the use of wheels—and some of those stones were moved more than 150 miles.
On the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, the sun rises directly over the largest stone, the Heel Stone, creating a captivating spectacle. On the winter solstice, the shortest day, the sunset aligns with the stones, casting an enchanting glow upon the ancient site. Stonehenge's precise alignment with astronomical events suggests its importance in ancient ceremonial practices, making it an iconic symbol of human ingenuity and our connection to the cosmos.
Related Images
Sun Voyager sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason in Reykjavik, Iceland
Glastonbury Tor and St. Michael's Tower in England for the start of the Glastonbury Festival
Coast redwoods in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, California
Mount Fuji and Ushitukiiwa (Twin Rocks) in Matsuzaki, Japan
Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state
Aerial of the Amazon River Basin near Manaus, Brazil
Winter at Isis Temple in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The shoreline of Cahuita National Park in Costa Rica
Bing Today Images
