If you’ve been watching ‘Vikings’ on BBC Two, you will have seen the presenter, Neil Oliver: a modern day Braveheart, all Scottish brogue and wild, flowing locks. Did you hear him mention the stone ships of Sweden? The Viking stones he visited in one episode were on the island of Gotland, but the stones we saw in the summer were probably more famous, situated near to Ystad, in the region of Skane.
Ales Stenar (Ale’s Stones) form Sweden’s largest preserved stone ship, 67 metres long and 19 metres wide, featuring 59 boulders, high up on a cliff above the tiny fishing village of Kaseberga. Much debate continues about how and why they came to be here: a burial ground for King Ale, a Viking meeting place or, more recently, claims that it was constructed as a sun calendar.
The day of our visit was glorious: bright blue skies, hot sun and just a light breeze. I can imagine on a cold winter’s day the impact of seeing the stones, with the wind howling on the cliff top, would be far more dramatic and powerful. A warm summer day brought with it other tourists so we weren’t alone, unlike the day we experienced our very own lighthouse, but the extra people couldn’t detract from the beauty and wonder of this spectacular sight.
As we looked out to sea, we noticed other people were scrambling down the steep cliff onto the rocks below. Blindly we followed them, slithering and sliding down the sand, holding onto a flimsy wire rail, until we reached the bottom. Not sure where the path would lead, we walked along the base of the cliff for some time until we reached Kaseberga and, to welcome us, another ‘Burgess Bench’ for us to take a rest, look out to sea and agree that this was a very fine day indeed.
Looks like the earth was sprouting teeth. What an interesting spot.
Ooh you're right, they do look like teeth. Makes me think of that advert for some toothbrush with the cartoon character who could open his jaw right back. (This will mean nothing to you…nor anyone else probably).
God that looks amazing, my best friend used to work in Sweden lots and absolutely adores it, must be one for my list
Yes, go go go! I'm in love with Sweden – all of it.
I will bump it up my list, please try Budapest, we loved it, very walkable, hugely emotive and really easy to get to. We did it on a travelzoo thingy, very cheap, great hotel, hugely recommend
Rory looks like he should be in a band. Lovely photos too.
We cannot wait to get to Copenhagen (I know….not Sweden) and now have to add this place to our list as (as AG said) it looks amazing.
My mister thinks Budapest is one of the best places we have been too and would go back tomorrow but there are too many places still to see…why repeat?
It was Copenhagen that inspired us to further explore Scandinavia so I'm sure you will get to Sweden sooner than you think.
Budapest is a definite then, with you and Auntie Gwen suggesting it. I agree – I would love to go back to Venice and Rome but the pull to see other places just has the edge.
This makes me want to download the show with the flowy locked presenter. Agree with Libby, Rory totally looks like he should be in a band! Very cool.
Oh, Neil has a certain something – quite beguiling, Jody.
I suppose that photo of Rory is a good one, a bit like an album cover or a still from a video promo. He loved that hat on holiday!!
Yours is one of the few blogs I read that always, always awakens my green eyed monster.
I don't know whether I should be pleased…or apologise profusely!! 😉
Jealous that we didn't see the tiny little path leading down to the beach, but so pleased you made it there! It could be that at the time I was somewhat distracted by the cows surrounding the stones, and being periodically chased by them! 😀
We didn't see any cows! They must have been in a different field. But it's thanks to you that we made the effort to go and see the stones :-))
This is really almost too much new information for me to absorb in 1 blog post. First of all, I have never heard of 'Vikings' and now that I have, I am feeling sorry for myself because I can't watch it; secondly, I am ALL about ancient ruins, even more so when they're Scandinavian and placed in the most gorgeous settings. I've bookmarked this in my 'places to visit' file, although I'm guessing we'll have to wait until we've finished seeing everything in Asia before we can make any plans for Europe.
Your 'places to visit' file must be the same size as mine!!
Always the fear that you might knock one stone over and then……..
Ha! Wouldn't that make a good spoof! Just takes one boy in a straw hat.