What places to visit when there are white nights in St. Petersburg? Why does this phenomenon occur and how long does it take?

The period of white nights in St. Petersburg is especially fascinating and attracts tourists. When the twilight envelops 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 in St. Petersburg there are white nights, what is it, why does it occur and how long does this magic time last?

White Nights: What is this?

This phenomenon, when the sun goes over the horizon for such a short period of time that it does not have time to completely darken. Evening twilight is gradually replaced by the morning sunrise. In this summer season you can observe the extraordinary beauty of nature. You can walk until the morning with empty streets, 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 true symbol of St. Petersburg. At this time, there are various entertainment programs and cultural events. St. Petersburg and without it a very beautiful city, but the streets, shaded by the dusk of mystery and mystery, illuminated by the rays of almost no setting sun, produce 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 away from the location of the North Polar Circle. This is a notional mark, where the polar day comes in summer . At this time, the sun does not almost go beyond the horizon. The reason for this phenomenon is the tilt of the Earth's axis to the orbit. In the summer, the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth is tilted toward the Sun, which explains a very long day at the end of the first summer month in the northern latitudes. The sun, only having managed to hide behind the horizon, begins again because of him to go out. That's why in St. Petersburg there are white nights. And beyond the Arctic Circle there is a time when the sun does not go beyond the horizon!

The Earth's axis has a slope, so different amounts of light fall on different sites: 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 "civic twilight" - a period spanning the time from sunset over the horizon until the sun reaches a few degrees below the horizon.

When to observe the phenomenon?

Give an unambiguous answer to the question of when in St. Petersburg there are white nights, no one can. One says that the first phenomenon can already be observed on May 25-27. And in this there is a rational grain: approximately in these numbers the beginning of the night does not have time to occur, since it is possible to see only bright twilight that gradually pass into the morning sunrise.

Others argue that the first white night in St. Petersburg comes only on June 11. It is this date that is the official beginning, when in St. Petersburg there are white nights.

We came to the unequivocal opinion that June 21-22 is the days when the night is the brightest: the sun hides only a few degrees from the horizon, and the day lasts almost 19 hours. It is noteworthy that in this case the sun gives enough light to take good photos without using flashes. During the white nights, you can clearly observe and capture a well-known breeding of bridges over the Neva River and ships passing by. Photographs created in this magical time, can convey an atmosphere of mystery and romance. Officially, the last day of the white nights is the second of July, but, according to witnesses, this phenomenon can be admired until July 17.

Celebrations in this period

The tradition to celebrate the white nights in St. Petersburg came from the time of its founding by Peter I. Now the beginning of the festive events falls on May 27. This holiday is eagerly awaited by all residents of St. Petersburg, as it is at that time that mass festivities take place, various exhibitions, concerts and festivals take place.

What places are worth visiting?

St. Petersburg is rich in picturesque places, but among them there are several worthwhile ones that acquire incredible beauty during the white nights.

The arrow of Vasilievsky Island is considered one of the most colorful places in Petersburg. From here you can watch the movement of ships, peering into the slumbering banks, adorned with the light of the lights.

When in St. Petersburg there are white nights, do not miss the opportunity to go to the Palace Square. Before you will open an amazing view of the unusually early dawn, illuminating the summit of the Alexandrian pillar, and sinking in the morning gloom of the facade of the Winter Palace. The park of the three - hundredth anniversary of St. Petersburg is also an excellent option for night walks. The Gulf of Finland, on whose banks it is located, creates the illusion of an even greater lightness around. From this place you can see a breathtaking city landscape and a sea view.

The festival "Scarlet Sails" - a grandiose holiday, which is organized on a white night. The most interesting thing happens on a deep night: a frigate equipped with majestic scarlet sails, under bright flashes of lights and salutes plunges into the water of the Neva. All this action takes place simultaneously for the morning and evening dawn.