England is famous all over the world for its attractions: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and other architectural creations. But of particular interest among tourists is, of course, Stonehenge - a structure made of megaliths, the purpose of which scientists have been trying to unravel for more than a dozen years.
Description
Stonehenge is a rather strange structure - huge stones are neatly placed in a circle in the middle of the field. Researchers have thoroughly studied each: 82 five-ton megaliths, 30 stone blocks of 25 tons each and 5 giant triliths weighing up to 50 tons. Scientists cannot determine the age of the stone structure even with the help of the most modern technologies. It is assumed that stones appeared at this place from 3 to 5 thousand years ago. The ancient inhabitants of this territory, with an unknown purpose, cut huge blocks out of the rocks and dragged them hundreds of kilometers away. Scientists are struggling to guess why distant ancestors needed to do this. Someone believes that this is an ancient observatory, with the help of which people followed the movements of the heavenly bodies. Others think it is a Druidic cult building. The most daring in their theories call Stonehenge a UFO landing site or even a portal to another dimension.
To see the mysterious Stonehenge and try to solve its riddle yourself, millions of tourists come to this place from all over the world.
History
According to the latest data, the construction of Stonehenge began around 1900 BC (this time refers to the end of the Stone Age). The construction ended three centuries later. It is known for certain that the entire complex was rebuilt three times.
Scientists-researchers believe that at first the ancient builders dug a moat in the shape of a circle, then they installed wooden pillars, placed 56 holes in a circle. The so-called Heel Stone, seven meters high, was placed in the center. The sun rises directly over him on the summer solstice.
The exact address
Stonehenge is located 130 kilometers southwest of the capital of Great Britain, in Wiltshire. More precisely - 13 kilometers north of the town of Salisbury.
GPS coordinates: 51.179177 −1.826284.
Tours
Many tourists, in order to save money, go on an excursion to Stonehenge on their own. You can get there by rented car or by train - from London Waterloo railway station to Salisbury, and from there by bus. How to get there - anyone you meet will tell you.
A guided tour can be purchased at almost any travel agency. The price includes transportation from the hotel to the destination and back, as well as entrance fees. A complex excursion is often offered with a visit during the day and other attractions of England. The cost of excursions starts from 70 pounds (at the current exchange rate - from 8 thousand rubles).
The complex has its own official work schedule. From April to October, Stonehenge can be viewed from 10 am to 6 pm. From November to March, the complex is open to tourists from 9 am to 4 pm. The entrance ticket costs 14.5 pounds, discounts are offered to students, seniors, children and families.
