Ales stenar - ett forntida mysterium i Skåne

Writer: Helena Bergström

Ales stenar is Sweden's largest and best preserved ship setting. The stone formation sits magnificently on a hill above the village of Kåseberga on the south coast of Österlen in Skåne. It is known that the shipwreck dates to sometime between 500 and 1000 AD, but much else remains a mystery.

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Ales stones at Kåseberga

Ales stones consist of 59 large boulders arranged in the shape of a ship. The entire ship is 67 metres long and 19 metres wide, and each individual stone weighs around 5 tonnes. But why did our ancestors erect these huge stones? There seems to be some disagreement about this.

Ales stenar is located at Kåseberga, just under two kilometres east of Ystad. From Kåseberga it is only a short walk up to the impressive stones.

The mystery of Ales stones

So we know that over a thousand years ago, the large stones at Kåseberga were placed in the shape of a ship by our ancestors. Considering that each boulder weighs around five tonnes, and that the quarry was located just south of Simrishamn, it can't have been an easy job to drag the stones here. But why did they work so hard to create this?

Much is shrouded in mystery when it comes to the Ales stones, and in that sense you could say that the stones harbour a mystery. Could it be a burial site? But if so, why has no grave been found? Could it be a symbol of power, a gathering place or a memorial?

One suggestion is that the stones are a giant sundial, an ancient astronomical calendar from the Bronze Age. The stones are positioned so that the sun sets at the north-west corner in summer and rises at the opposite corner in winter. However, critics say that a lot of goodwill is required for the model to work, and that the carbon 14 method contradicts the time period.

As you approach the rocks, you are greeted by two different information boards, one describing the official theories and one explaining the solar calendar theory, based on the ideas of amateur scientist Bob G Lind. You immediately get a sense of being in an exciting and controversial place!

But haven't they excavated and found any artefacts? The answer is that very little has been found. One of the few finds is a ceramic vessel from the 4th or 5th century AD, filled with burnt human bones. This shows that the site was used for burial, but the find is probably older than the Ales stones.

Visiting the Stones of Ales

Visiting the stones of Ales is powerful. It was fairly warm the day we were here, but the wind was still a bit chilly at the top of the stones. The shipyard is 32 metres above sea level, and you have a magnificent view of the water.

Our ancestors chose a great place for their building. We may not know what they wanted to say, but they will never be forgotten. Isn't it dizzying to try to imagine history?

Beautiful nature

When visiting Ales stenar, don't miss out on experiencing the amazing nature around it. There are several nature reserves nearby: Hammars backar, Mälarhusen and Sandby backar and Sandhammaren. Here also passes the Sydkustleden, 26 miles of cycle path between Simrishamn and Helsingborg.

Kåseberga harbour

When you visit Ales stenar, you can also take the opportunity to visit Kåseberga harbour. From the stones it is only a short walk down to the harbour.

Down in the harbour there are several restaurants and shops focusing on fish. Here you can sit down and eat things like "herring sandwiches", prawn sandwiches, hot smoked salmon or fish burgers.

You can also buy ice cream, or maybe some nice gifts.

Parking space

Are you travelling with a motorhome? Then it is easy to stop at Kåseberga car park. This is a large grass pitch, within walking distance of Ales stenar. This year (2021) the price was 150 SEK for a site without electricity and 180 SEK for a site with electricity. The number of sites with electricity is limited and it is first come, first served. There are toilets, showers, water refills, an outdoor counter and rubbish collection. However, there is no possibility of emptying tanks.

More to see in the neighbourhood

Please visit the the charming town of Ystad, which is full of historic buildings. Not far from Ales rocks there are also beautiful sandy beaches such as Sandhammers, and the historical the castle of Glimmingehus. It is also nice to experience cosy Åhus.

Facts about Ales stones

Address: 271 78 Löderup
Municipality: Ystad
County: Skåne County
Landscape: Skåne
Location: On a hill above Kåseberga, 32 metres above sea level, about 18 kilometres east of Ystad.
Year of construction: Around 500 - 1000 AD
Material: Granite and gneiss and sandstone (centre blocks).
Read more: You can find more information at Ystad municipality and State Property Agency.

History at the Stones of Ales

Approximately 500 - 1000 AD: The shipyard was built during this period, as shown by analyses using the carbon 14 method.
1515: The archaeological site was mentioned for the first time in writing, in a list of the lands of the Lund diocese.
1624: The oldest record of the name Ales stenar, or Al's stones, is from this period.
1684: The oldest depiction of the ship set is found on Buhrman's coastal map from that year. The stones were thus used as a landmark and navigational aid.
1917: The ship's rigging was restored for the first time.
The Second World War: The Swedish military built a building for aerial surveillance on one side of the shipwreck. They also dug a shelter between two of the stones.
1956: The ship set was restored a second time.
2015: Ale's stones came to be managed by the National Property Board.

READ MORE: Campsites and pitches in Skåne
READ MORE: Things to do in Skåne - sights and experiences
READ MORE: Holidays in Sweden - your guide to Sweden's best destinations

16 Comments

Add yours →

Ama de casa says:

What a cool place! Never been there but would love to visit and see it irl. I have checked out Stonehenge and it was also cool.

Lovely header image! Cool with the paragliders in the background.

03 June 2021 - 8:39

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It's a fascinating place! And also Stonehenge of course, I was there when I was on a language trip a long time ago 😉.
  
  03 June 2021 - 15:03
  
bmlarsreseblogg says:

We have visited Ales Stenar several times. It is certainly a fascinating place. A memorable visit is when we were there one May evening at sunset with the Photo Club.

03 June 2021 - 8:50

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I imagine the visit at sunset was something special!
  
  03 June 2021 - 15:04
  
Travelsis says:

So fun to follow you on your trip!
Have been there many times, still think it is an equally beautiful and exciting place!./ P

03 June 2021 - 9:27

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you like following our journey! What an exciting place it is!
  
  03 June 2021 - 15:05
  
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

It's so nice at Ales rocks! I was there with friends from the USA a few years ago and they also found it so beautiful and interesting.

03 June 2021 - 9:29

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It's fun to bring foreign visitors to sights, then you see with some new/different eyes yourself too!
  
  03 June 2021 - 15:06
  
Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

The Stones of Ales and Stonehenge are amazing pieces of architecture. BUT the Stones of Ales are not on the World Heritage List, oddly enough.
Stonehenge was transported from 300 kilometres from South Wales.
The stones in Ales are not of the same size, but they are not ones you can put on your shoulder and carry away. must have been transported long distances too.

03 June 2021 - 9:37

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Ale's stones should be on the World Heritage List, I agree!
  
  03 June 2021 - 15:07
  
Geddfish says:

I have a very strong memory of Ale stones. Our last caravan trip of the season, when we did the eastern side of Skåne and down to Ystad. I really felt the wings of history there.
It makes you think. How did you manage? Are we slower today?
Yes, great place, anyway.
Hugs

03 June 2021 - 20:49

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Of course you get a lot of thoughts! You must have been very motivated. for some reason, right? Or maybe we have become more lazy 😉.
  
  03 June 2021 - 20:58
  
BP says:

I have seen Ales stones many times on different blogs, but I have never visited the area which is soooo beautiful.
I don't know why, but when I see the pictures I think of Stonehenge (https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge)

03 June 2021 - 20:51

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Totally agree with you! I also think of Stonehenge! I visited both when I was young (Ales stones because I lived in Skåne and Stonehenge during a language trip when I was 14) and both places made quite an impression. Fascinating!
  
  03 June 2021 - 21:00
  
Lena - gott för själen says:

Really fascinating how they managed! Can't wait to see if they manage to crack the story of why they ended up there!

Hug Lena

23 June 2021 - 5:35

Åsa på hulsbilsresa.se says:

We got married there. Between sea and sky. A magical moment in a magical place.

20 August 2021 - 17:53

Ales stones - an ancient mystery in Skåne

Writer: Helena Bergström

Ales stones at Kåseberga

The mystery of Ales stones

Visiting the Stones of Ales

Beautiful nature

Kåseberga harbour

Parking space

More to see in the neighbourhood

Facts about Ales stones

History at the Stones of Ales

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16 Comments

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

bmlarsreseblogg says:

Helena says:

Travelsis says:

Helena says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Helena says:

Nils-Åke+Hansson says:

Helena says:

Geddfish says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Åsa på hulsbilsresa.se says:

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