Stonehenge: Inside and Outside the Stone Circle

I went to see Stonehenge twice. The first time, I was there with a special tour to see it after hours, close to sunset (it was even called “the sunset tour”). Alex couldn’t go with me because he was attending a conference. So, in a few days, we went to see Stonehenge again, together. However, we couldn’t go on a sunset or sunrise tour (they were suspended because it was the week of the summer solstice).

I had mixed expectations going to see Stonehenge. On the one hand, I read that it’s just a big pile of rocks, but on the other hand, people marvel at the mystery and atmosphere surrounding the site. Having been there now, I have to agree with both. Yes, it is a pile of huge rocks, but when you wander inside and around at the time when sun is close to the horizon and there are only a handful of people around, you can’t help getting immersed in the atmosphere of that place. It feels like an abandoned building or temple that used to belong to a civilization that didn’t leave a trace in written human history. And, basically, that’s what it is and that’s what makes this place feel mystic and atmospheric. What can I say, most people are drawn to mysteries.

Two photographs below were taken on our second tour. The lighting was not as good (because we were there in the middle of the day), and there were a lot of people there, which diluted the atmosphere of the place somewhat.

Finally, we couldn’t leave without snapping a couple of pictures of ourselves in front of Stonehenge.