Stonehenge

Stonehenge is the most famous megalithic prehistoric monument in the world with a diameter of around 100 meters. It is dated to the end of the Neolithic Age and it was used for religious and astronomic purposes. The monument is located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire County, England.

Stonehenge is considered to be a sanctuary dedicated to the sun. The ruins we see today are just mere shadows of its original glory. The Stonehenge megalith is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List

The research around the origin of Stonehenge and the reason for its construction began in 1901. The English architect William Hawley restored the plan of the site and the strict rules of its design were revealed. Stonehenge is a unique complex of carefully arranged concentric rings made of stones.  

The structure has four rings and 30 vertical stones, each being 3 meters high and weighing around 26 tons. These huge limestone pillars together with 30 connected lintel stones each weighing 6 tons placed on top of the vertical pillars form the outer circle. There is an inside circle with similar design.

There are numerous and most incredible theories about the origin of this ancient megalithic installation. In the old times people believed Stonehenge was built by giants. The ancient Greeks considered Stonehenge was created by one-eyed Cyclops. There was even a legend saying the stones could be moved from a distance with the help of magical spells or if Orpheus played music.

Stonehenge is indisputably the most popular prehistoric monument in Europe. This makes it one of the most visited landmarks in the world attracting people for its unique design and mystical history.