Ale stenar

in Swedish

Ale’s Stones is a historically intriguing mystery with more than one story and makes for a great excursion destination. According to the Swedish National Heritage Board (RAÄ), Ale’s Stones receives over 500,000 visitors annually, but it’s likely the environment and the area itself that attract most people.

About Ale’s Stones

Ale’s Stones are about 1,000 years older than when Skåne became part of Sweden. No one really knows why this so-called stone ship was erected. Archaeologist Jasmine Christiansen stated in a Sweden Radio interview in September 2004, unfortunately no longer available, that one really knows nothing about the origin of Ale’s Stones.

In the summer of 2006, the RAÄ conducted new studies of the soil beneath the surface. This is called geological prospecting and was done with the help of magnetometer and ground-penetrating radar. Sounds trustworthy. Among other things, traces of a smaller stone ship beside the famous one were found. The information board below is located just before reaching the stone setting itself.

Main text from the information board

Ale’s Stones is the largest and best-preserved stone setting in Sweden. The 59 stone boulders stand high on the Kåseberga ridge, with a magnificent view of the sea forming one of the most visited ancient monuments in Sweden. The ship setting is approximately 70 meters long, 19 meters wide, and each stone weighs about 5 tons. It was erected sometime between 500–1000 AD.

Most of these large ship setting were built during the Viking Age, 500–1050 AD. The boulders on the sides of the ship consist of granites and gneisses, while the four central boulders are sandstone. On several of the boulders, above ground as well as under, there are so-called “cup marks” —small, carved bowl-shaped depressions. These indicate that the stones were probably gathered from older types of megalithic graves, so-called dolmen and passage tombs. Traces of a removed stone age dolmen have been discovered a way east of the stones.

The name Ales stenar (Ale’s Stones) is found for the first time in 1624, recorded as “Als stene” by the parish vicar in Valleberga. Before rthen, the monument was called Heds Stenar or Hé Stones (the stones on the moor), a name that has been used by people living in the vicinity to this day.

AN ANCIENT MONUMENT WITH MANY STORIES
Why Ales stenar was raised, and by whom, we do not know for sure. The magnificent landscape, the view of the sea, and placement of the stones pave the way for many interpretations. Maybe it iss a burial site, but a grave is yet to be found. A symbol of power and a gathering site? Or a cenotaph, a monument to an important person. One interpretation does not necessarily exclude another. Perhaps it is a gigantic sundial, a solar calendar? The ship’s central line points at the spot on the horizon where the sun rises on the winter and summer solstices.

Ales stenar is one of several cultural history sites which we all own together. In common, these site narrate our history, where we come from, who we are. It is fascinating that a site can provoke so many thoughts, feelings, and ideas. As well as something well worth a visit, and worth preserving for the future.

Ales stenar is part of our common cultural heritage and since 2015 it is managed by the National Property Board of Sweden. At www.sfv.se you can read more about this site and get tips about other interesting sites to visit.

Extensive investigation of Ale’s Stones from 2012

In 2012, the County Administrative Board published a report on Ale’s Stonesꜜ as part of the Swedish National Heritage Board’s publication series. The archaeological evidence in the report shows that Ale’s Stones was erected during the Iron Age between 600–1000 AD.

The discussion about the history and cultural significance of Ale’s Stones certainly contributes to public relations for Ale’s Stones, bringing more visitors to Kåseberga—and that is no bad contribution to Österlen.

Ale’s Stones is worth a detour

Several parties from Ystad, travel companies, and Kåseberga locals have succeeded in turning an appreciated excursion destination into an unsolved cultural mystery, a beautiful setting, and a breathtaking view. You can buy good fish, as in many other places in Österlen, and drive on after a pleasant break.

Your curiosity about cultural history is worth a detour ONCE. It is probably the beautiful scenery that will tempt you back for a nice outing.

Nearby attractions

Glimminge Hus↗ located near Brantevik just south of Simrishamn is one of many tourist destinations, with a more well-known history than Ale’s Stones.

Visitor’s guide for Ystad and Österlen↗.

A few kilometers east of Ale’s Stones you can visit Backåkra. Dag Hammarskjöld, UN Secretary-General and Sweden’s most internationally renowned statesman, lived there.

Referenser

• Om BiBB, a media company and an encyclopedia 4.0
• Ales stenar   Wikipedia, 21 referenser | bibliografi
• Ale's Stones   Wikipedia, 6 references | bibliography
• Ale stenar, via Statens fastighetsverk
• Ales stenar, Fördjupat kunskapsunderlag, (2012) utredning från Riksantikvarieämbetet, UV-rapport 2012:21
• Text/foto: Johan Schlasberg

Published: 2004.06 Updated: 2025.08.11

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Kategorier 20 Platser och Offentliga rum 20 Skåne 5



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