AUSTRALIA 21 December 2008 Australia celebrates summer solstice. Stonehenge II for pagans and neo-druids

The summer solstice is a big day each year for pagans and neo-druids everywhere. Entrepreneur Ross Smith in the Margaret River area of Western Australia is hoping thousands of them from around the world will flock to his replica of Britain's prehistoric Stonehenge to mark the Dec 21 summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.

The iconic monument, built between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC on the Salisbury Plain in England, is believed to have functioned for the ancients as an observatory for predicting astronomical events such as solstices, which are the longest and shortest days of the year. Stonhenge and solstices have spiritual significance for pagans and neo-druids, and thousands flock to the monument each June to mark the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice.

Smith is building the monument as a year-round business venture on his Margaret River property. Modeled on the original, it is 110 feet across and will include a central altar and 101 granite stones arranged in an inner and outer circle. Smith hopes to make his Henge a major tourist attraction in an area already renowned for fine wine, chocolate and cheese.

Visitors to England's Stonehenge are only allowed to look. Visitors to the replica will be allowed to touch it. Mar/08

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Australia building Stonehenge replica to lure tourists (AP/Globe&Mail 25 Mar 2008)