Experience the Spring Equinox: 12 Incredible Sites
Humans have marked the spring equinox for millennia, symbolizing rebirth and renewal. Its arrival in the Northern Hemisphere on March 20 signifies warmer days and the beginning of crop preparation, playing a significant role in many cultures.
This equinox is one of only two days each year when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in both day and night lasting approximately 12 hours. Throughout history, various civilizations constructed sites aligned with the springtime sun, creating awe-inspiring experiences during this unique event.
Here, we explore 12 incredible sites where you can observe the transition into spring during the spring equinox in 2024.
1. El Castillo, Mexico
El Castillo, the largest Mayan temple in the pre-Columbian city of Chichén Itzá, towers about 98ft (30m) above the Yucatán jungle. During the equinoxes, a shadow mimicking a serpent slithers along the stairs, believed to honor Kukulkán, the feathered serpent god.
2. Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge, the iconic stone circle, draws thousands of visitors each year. The sarsen stones align perfectly with the sun’s movements. During the equinox, the public can freely enter to celebrate, filled with music and ceremonies by local druids and pagans.
3. Nagoya, Japan
In Japan, spring is synonymous with cherry blossoms. Vernal Equinox Day, observed as a public holiday, marks the beginning of the bloom, with celebrations in cities like Nagoya, Kyoto, and Tokyo. Join blossom-viewing picnics, bringing a taste of tradition into your springtime experience.
4. Chaco Canyon, United States
Located in New Mexico, Chaco Canyon National Historical Park features remarkable structures from the Ancestral Puebloan culture. During the spring equinox, sunlight streams through aligned doors in Casa Rinconada, creating a mystical experience that connects early Indigenous cultures with astronomical events.
5. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The massive Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, recognized as the world’s largest religious site, offers a breathtaking view of the sun rising directly behind its central tower on the spring equinox, creating a stunning silhouette that enchants visitors.
6. Spiro Mounds, United States
Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center in Oklahoma served as a crucial political and religious site among the Northern Caddoan Mississippian people. The spring equinox features the sun rising directly behind Mound No. 2, marking its importance in both culture and ceremony.
7. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Ireland
This ancient cemetery near Sligo boasts over 35 passage tombs, many dating back nearly 6000 years. On the spring equinox, the sun illuminates these megaliths, revealing the connection between Ireland’s rich history and this seasonal celebration.
8. Mnajdra, Malta
Mnajdra temple complex, built around 3600 BCE, is famed for its spectacular solar alignments. During the spring equinox, sunlight cascades through the main entrance, illuminating a hidden shrine, demonstrating the advanced understanding of astronomy in ancient Maltese culture.
9. Teotihuacán, Mexico
At Teotihuacán, known as the City of the Gods, the equinox sun travels across the ancient ruins, illuminating intricate stone carvings that depict solar and lunar symbols. Witnessing this natural spectacle is a profound testament to the builders’ astronomical awareness.
10. Cromlech of the Almendres, Portugal
One of the oldest megalithic sites globally, the Cromlech of the Almendres consists of two stone circles that align with the sun during the equinox, creating a magical interplay of light and shadow across the ancient stones.
11. Basilica San Petronio, Italy
Noteworthy for its astronomical significance, Basilica San Petronio in Bologna features Cassini’s Meridian Line, an impressive brass rail embedded in the floor. On the spring equinox, sunlight perfectly strikes this line, emphasizing the church’s role in marrying faith with scientific inquiry.
12. Loughcrew Cairns, Ireland
At Loughcrew Cairns in County Meath, the spring equinox sun illuminates Cairn T, revealing a flat boulder adorned with petroglyphs, captivating visitors with its historical legacy and natural beauty.
