PHOTO: Druids, Revellers Celebrate Summer Solstice

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Some 36,000 revellers gathered in Stonehenge for a traditional festivity of welcoming the Sun at it`s closest position to Earth.

The Sun came closest to the Earth on Sunday at 7:45 a.m., marking the summer solstice, i.e. the longest day of the year. Some 36,000 revellers gathered in Stonehenge for a traditional festivity of welcoming the Sun. Many of them arrived on Saturday evening.

Last year, archaeologists who were digging near Stonehenge reached to a layer which used to contain small stone blocks. They believe that the blocks, called bluestones, prove that people came to Stonehenge in search of medical remedies.

Various musicians gathered at this mystical site, who welcomed the summer solstice to the sounds of guitars and drums and were joined by dancers. Some adorned themselves in druids` costumes, while others put on leaves and animal leather. They all welcomed the longest day of the year celebrating and dancing.

Given that alcohol and drugs are usually a part of such festivities, it was a surprise to see that everything went by relatively quietly: only 25 persons were detained.

People are connected with nature in mystical Stonehenge

The summer solstice is the only day of year when people of different religions and nationalities Reuters-.--.-A time exposure shows a man playing with a LED light-up ball during the summer solstice at the Stonehenge monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, southern England June 21, 2009. come together in Stonehenge in order to harmonise with the sun`s cycle and be one with nature.

- We are very pleased everything went to plan. The atmosphere has been very good, especially around the stones - police officer Sam Edwards told the Daily Mail.

Stonehenge is a monument constructed from vast stone blocks and its exact purpose has not yet been determined. It is assumed that various rituals took place there and that the blocks were set up by the druids. However, archaeologists claim that construction of a temple began on the site 2,000 years before the druids arrived.

Take a look at the attached photo gallery: Druids, Revellers Celebrate Summer Solstice.