If you’re in London or planning to visit, you should definitely consider making the trip to Salisbury, to see one of the ancient wonders of the world. Once you visit this archaeological site, you’ll be transported into a world of magic, going back in time to 2,600 BC. This structure, constructed of huge stones, mounds and ditches, is one of the most popular historic wonders of the world. It’s the ruins of a ring of stones standing upright within the ground.
Since there’s quite an absence of written history about Stonehenge, very little is known about where the stones came from or how they were moved; many myths have arose as a result, which has only added to the structure’s popularity.
Here are five great reasons to plan a trip to visit Stonehenge.
It’s Surrounded by Mystery:
One of the most appealing aspects of Stonehenge is the sheer amount of mystery surrounding it. In fact, there is not one, but many different secrets about this structure. Nobody quite knows exactly what it is or what it was for; there are stories about giants bringing the huge stones from a distant land, while research has suggested that Stonehenge may have actually been an ancient burial site. Other myths and rumours have it that the stones have healing powers. All of these stories make it a very interesting place to visit; see for yourself and decide what you think it was all about.
It’s Simply Extraordinary:
There’s no denying that a visit to Stonehenge is an ethereal, extraordinary visit. Not only because of all the mystery surrounding it, but also because it was built during the transition between the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. And, the eerie symmetry of the structure boggles the mind. For centuries, people were confused about this, but it’s been discovered that the pattern of Stonehenge is aligned to the solstices. During the solstices, the sun’s rays are the axes of symmetry. The fact that whoever built Stonehenge with such amazing precision during a time where advanced scientific instruments weren’t available defies all modern logic.
The Incredible Design:
Another fantastic reason to visit Stonehenge is the incredible design. Originally, this structure was built in three stages. The first stage was an earthwork structure; a circular ditch with a bank. During the second stage, timber arrangements were made by fixing potholes in the ground that were surrounded with the bank. And finally, the stones were fixed in place. These three stages of construction took about five hundred years to complete. But there’s more; further theories suggest that construction was much longer, and that it was built in six stages.
See Hundreds of Artifacts:
The stones themselves aren’t the only attraction at Stonehenge; you can also spend some time exploring the Visitors Center and exhibition, where you can marvel at almost three hundred different exhibits, all with significant archaeological value. Each artifact on display was found at the site itself. They were either buried there, or were tools and other materials used for its construction. You can join Stonehenge tours to make sure that you get the full experience.
Special Exhibitions:
There are plenty of regular special exhibitions taking place at Stonehenge, where you can see models depicting the history of the structure. When you attend an exhibition, you’ll have the chance to explore some ancient objects up close, along with audio-visual displays created using advanced technology which will help you get a real feel for the significance of the place.
If you’re visiting London, it’s well worth taking the train to Salisbury to see one of the most mysterious wonders of the world.
