STONEHENGE (AFP).- Around 13,000 people gathered at Stonehenge on Wednesday to witness the summer solstice sunrise at Britain's most famous prehistoric monument.

Druids and midsummer revellers witnessed the sun rise at 4:52am (0352 GMT) on the longest day of the year at the site, whose stones are aligned to the sun's position when it rises on the solstice.

The mysterious circle of standing stones, on Salisbury Plain in southwest England, is one of the most famous ancient sites in Europe.

Some pagans hugged the carved bluestones while one group of revellers did yoga together and others laid their hands together on the stones and chanted. The summer solstice is the only time in the year when the precious stones can be touched.

Some visitors had garlands of flowers in their hair, played guitars or tambourines, while others simply laid down to soak up the atmosphere.

A UNESCO world heritage site, Stonehenge is one of the most impressive prehistoric megalithic monuments anywhere due to its size, sophisticated concentric plan and architectural precision.

Stonehenge was built in stages, from around 3,000 BC to 2,300 BC.

"Summer solstice at Stonehenge is a major operation," said Jennifer Davies, English Heritage's general manager for the site.

"We are pleased with how the celebrations have gone.

"This year we had extra security arrangements in place and we'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding."

Armed police were on guard at the site, following four terror attacks in the last three months in Britain.

Wiltshire Police said the event passed peacefully, but there were seven "mostly drug-related" arrests.

A man calling himself King Arthur Pendragon and claiming to be a senior druid boycotted the event over the £15 ($19, 17 euro) car parking charge.

The Stonehenge solstice stalwart claimed the fee breached his human rights, but his legal challenge earlier this year failed.

"Pilgrims are being financially precluded from attending their temple due to the 'pay to pray' policy," he said.

"The fight continues."


© Agence France-Presse