The period of white nights in St. Petersburg is especially fascinating and attracts tourists. When twilight shrouds the city, at this time it literally comes to life. Everyone wants to enjoy this unusual natural phenomenon, and even then, various cultural events are held. When there are white nights in St. Petersburg, what is it, why does this magical time arise and how long does it last?
White Nights: what is it?
This is the phenomenon when the sun sets below the horizon for such a short period of time that it does not have time to completely get dark. Evening twilight is gradually replaced by morning dawn. In this summer season, you can observe the extraordinary beauty of nature paintings. You can walk along the sparsely populated streets until the morning, contemplate the night life of the city, admire the ancient architecture, watch the ships passing along the banks of the Neva.
White Nights are a real symbol of St. Petersburg. At this time, there are various entertainment programs and cultural events. St. Petersburg is verya beautiful city, but the streets, shaded by the twilight of mystery and mystery, illuminated by the rays of almost no setting sun, make a particularly attractive and amazing impression.
Why are there white nights in St. Petersburg?
This city is located on the 60th parallel, which is six degrees south of the location of the Arctic Circle. This is a conditional mark, where the polar day occurs in summer. At this time, the sun hardly sets below the horizon. The reason for this phenomenon is the inclination of the Earth's axis to the orbit. In summer, the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun, which explains the very long day at the end of the first summer month in northern latitudes. The sun, having only managed to hide behind the horizon, begins to emerge from behind it again. That is why there are white nights in St. Petersburg. And there is a time beyond the Arctic Circle when the sun never sets below the horizon!
The Earth's axis is tilted, so different areas receive different amounts of light: in winter, the North is almost not illuminated by the Sun, while in summer it receives a large amount of light and heat. The period of white nights is called in science "civil twilight" - the period covering the time from sunset below the horizon until the sun reaches several degrees below the horizon.
When to observe the phenomenon?
No one can give an unambiguous answer to the question of when there are white nights in St. Petersburg. Some say that the first phenomenon can already be observed on May 25-27. And there is a rationalgrain: around these dates, the beginning of the night does not have time to occur, since only bright twilight can be seen, which gradually turns into morning dawn.
Others argue that the first white night in St. Petersburg comes only on June 11th. This date is the official beginning of white nights in St. Petersburg.
We came to the unequivocal opinion that June 21-22 are the days when the night is the brightest: the sun hides behind the horizon only a few degrees, and the day lasts almost 19 hours. Remarkably, the sun provides enough light to take good photos without using flashes. During the white nights, one can clearly observe and capture the well-known bridges over the Neva River and the ships passing by. Photographs taken during this magical time are able to convey an atmosphere of mystery and romance.
Officially, the last day of the white nights is July 2, but according to witnesses, this phenomenon can be admired until July 17.
Celebrations during this period
The tradition of celebrating the white nights in St. Petersburg has been around since the time of its foundation by Peter I. Now the beginning of the celebrations falls on May 27th. All residents of St. Petersburg are looking forward to this holiday, since it is then that mass celebrations are held, various exhibitions, concerts and festivals are held.
Which places to visit?
Saint Petersburgrich in picturesque places, but among them there are several worthy of attention, which acquire incredible beauty during the white nights.
The Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is considered one of the most colorful places in St. Petersburg. From here you can watch the movement of ships, peer into the dormant shores, decorated with the light of lights.
When there are white nights in St. Petersburg, do not miss the opportunity to go to Palace Square. You will see an amazing view of an unusually early dawn, illuminating the top of the Alexandrian Pillar, and the facade of the Winter Palace drowning in the morning mist.
Park of the Tercentenary of St. Petersburg is also a great option for night walks. The Gulf of Finland, on the banks of which it is located, creates the illusion of even greater lightness around. This place offers a breathtaking cityscape and sea views.
The Scarlet Sails Festival is a grand celebration organized on the white night. The most interesting thing happens late at night: the frigate, equipped with majestic scarlet sails, plunges into the waters of the Neva under bright flashes of lights and salutes. All this action takes place simultaneously under the morning and evening dawn.
