Experiencing the twilight on the day of winter solstice is an important item on the bucket list of many travelers. People from across the world travel to places just to watch this incredible twilight for a pretty short span. However, there are still people who are not aware of these events.
This blog can be an eye-opener for them to know when they occur, what they mean, and where to go.
The meaning of Solstice and its types
A solstice is a particular time when either of the two hemispheres or poles (northern or southern) on Earth reaches its maximum tilt. Consecutively, the sun attains its highest or lowest elevations in the sky. Ultimately, this determines the longest and shortest days on Earth every year.
When the Northern Hemisphere attains its maximum tilt, it is winter and mostly falls on December 21, 22, or 23. Alternatively, when the Southern Hemisphere experiences the maximum tilt, it is summer and mostly falls on June 20, 21, or 22.
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What is the longest and shortest day of the year?
During the winter solstice, the sun will be at its lowest elevation in the sky. So, the day becomes short and the night becomes long. On the other hand, during the summer solstice, the sun will be at its maximum elevation in the sky. So, the day becomes long and the night becomes short. This is how the longest and shortest days of a year are decided.
In the year 2024, the longest day occurred on June 21st and the shortest day is yet to arrive on December 21st.
The history and culture behind the Happy Solstice
Our ancestors celebrated the winter solstice in the midwinter as an event of the rebirth of the sun. Particularly, certain tribes or communities celebrated this as a grand spiritual event and determined that the time for fermenting wine and beer had come.
Moreover, some communities marked it as a time of seasonal change from fall to winter. A few communities believed that sacrificing cattle could help them survive through the extreme winter weather.
Countries celebrating the Winter Solstice
Naturally, the winter solstice can be experienced in many northern hemisphere regions, like:
- Stonehenge in England,
- Barcelona’s Hospital de Sant Pau in Spain,
- Royal Burgh in Scotland,
- Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum in Denmark,
- the inner chambers of Newgrange Tomb in Ireland,
- Denali National Park in Alaska,
- Mayan structures in Mexico, etc.
Of these, the oldest one is the Newgrange tomb in Ireland, which is believed to have been built around 3200 B.C. If you ask us, “Where is the best place to see the winter solstice?” we would vote for the solstice at Stonehenge, England, the most celebrated one besides the Newgrange tomb.
Every year, on the day of the solstice in December, various tribal communities of England, like neo-druids, Wiccans, and common tourists and travelers, gather at Stonehenge early in the morning and rejoice watching the sunrise over the stones. Undoubtedly, the panoramic landscape of this moment is truly magical and it will leave you with goosebumps all over your body.
The Summer Solstice longest day of the year
As the summer solstice marks the longest day and the beginning of the summer season, many places, including Reykjavik in Iceland, the Stockholm Archipelago in Sweden, Fairbanks in Alaska, the mountains of the Tyrol in Austria, Stonehenge in England, Ottawa in Canada, Longyearbyen in Norway, and Giza in Egypt, celebrate it as a mass indigenous festival. People from the nearby cities and regions, along with tourists, gather at these places and witness the summer solstice sunrise.
Do not miss the winter solstice 2024 this year—book your international winter solstice tour now with the help of tour experts from the four-decade-old travel agency, the Emperor Travline!
