Every year more people gather to see the king's star pass by the Tajo de Roldán
One more year, the Sun sets over Puig Campana on the summer solstice
The Astrophysics Institute of Canary islands has shown its interest in the phenomenon contemplated from Benidorm
As every June 21, on the summer solstice, the day when the Sun reaches its highest height in the sky, the king star hid after crossing the Tajo de Roldán (El Portell, in Valencian) from Puig Campana, the cut in the mountain that configures its spectacular physiognomy, visible from its north and south slopes. This phenomenon can only be seen from Partida dels Marxassos in Benidorm and each year attracts more people interested in local culture and traditions.
Around two hundred people attended the unofficial call, endorsed by cultural entities such as La Taula de Bon Profit, or the Recreational Cultural Association 'La Barqueta' of Benidorm and others from the province of Alicante, who gathered in groups in the vicinity of the cemetery of Sant Jaume, among them, the mayor, Toni Pérez and other members of the municipal corporation.
As custom dictates, after 8:00 p.m., the Sun began its descent and set after crossing the characteristic cut in the mountain, approximately 25 meters wide by 50 meters high. The event was observed and photographed by the attendees with the mandatory eye protection.
Despite not being an official call, the summer solstice show has attracted the attention of an international benchmark in research such as the Astrophysics Institute of Canary islands (IAC). The institution that this year has broadcast the event contemplated from Gran Canaria to the whole world through the sky-live.tv channel, has shown its interest in knowing the details of the phenomenon observed from two enclaves in Benidorm: Partida dels Marxassos and the ' Roman castellum 'in Tossal de La Cala.
