The altar that sees the sun rise

The Cromlech of Little St Bernard Pass, situated on the border between Italy and France, is a fascinating reminder of the past. Built by the Salasses, the ancestors of the Valdôtains, in prehistory, this megalithic site's purpose is uncertain. It is thought to be a holy place, judging by the astronomical alignment suggestive of solstice or equinox rites. Petrone, a Roman author, described it as sacred to Hercules Graccus. Today, it stands as a French historical monument, a silent witness to the history that played out on this remote mountain pass. As the sun rises on the summer solstice, it illuminates this circle of stones, a connection to the past felt by the guardians of the site.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons