This period lasts approximately from May 20 to July 22.
In most cities in Europe, darkness and silence reign at midnight, but in the north of the continent there is an exception to the rule – a city where the sun remains in the sky for weeks. According to adevarul.ro, we are talking about the city of Tromsø in Norway, which is located about 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle.
In summer — from around May 20 to July 22 — you can observe one of the most impressive natural phenomena: the midnight sun. During this period, the sun does not set below the horizon, so the day seems endless. At midnight, when the clock shows 00:00 or even 1:00, it may still be bright enough outside for active recreation. The sun descends towards the horizon, but does not disappear. Instead, it changes its trajectory and begins to rise into the sky again.
This phenomenon has become part of the daily life of the local residents. In Tromsø, you can see people engaged in hiking, kayaking, or boating at night.
The secret of this phenomenon lies in the tilt of the Earth’s axis. During the summer months, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. In regions beyond the Arctic Circle, this results in the Sun remaining above the horizon for several weeks. The farther north, the longer this period lasts. For example, on the Svalbard archipelago, the Sun does not set from approximately April 20 to August 22.
The sun doesn’t rise in winter
In Tromsø, the polar night lasts from approximately November 28 to January 14. During this period, the sun does not rise above the horizon. However, the city is not plunged into complete darkness for the entire day. Around noon, a blue light appears in the sky, resembling twilight, creating a breathtaking landscape.
Winter is also one of the best times to observe the northern lights. Tromsø is considered one of the important destinations for tourists who want to see the northern lights.
“Paris of the North”
Tromsø is known not only for its unusual natural phenomena. The city has a rich history and in the 19th century earned the nickname “Paris of the North.” Travelers from the southern regions of Europe were impressed by the level of education, culture, and elegance of the city’s inhabitants.
Tromsø is located on an island and is connected to the mainland and neighboring islands by bridges and an underground tunnel. In the city center, there is one of the largest concentrations of old wooden houses in Northern Norway. The oldest of them dates back to 1789.
Also located here is a cathedral built in 1861 and considered the only wooden cathedral in Norway. Also located here is the world’s northernmost university, as well as the northernmost botanical garden and planetarium.
The city also played an important role in the history of Arctic exploration. Tromsø was the starting point for numerous expeditions to the polar regions, and explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen assembled their crews here before their journeys to the north.
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