Ales Stenar – The Stonehenge of Sweden

Ales Stenar, Sweden

How and why did 59 stones weighing up to 1,800 kg each, arrive in South Sweden atop a hill overlooking the Baltic Sea?

It’s human nature to want to find out the answer to things, but this isn’t always possible. Sometimes we have to accept the fact that we’ll never have all the answers to life’s mysteries, and one of these is Ales Stenar, dubbed the Stonehenge of Sweden.

It could be said, though we like having answers, we enjoy trying to piece together the frayed edges of a mystery even more. The element of not knowing feeds our curiosity and imagination, and that’s likely why Ales Stenar (also known as Ale’s Stones in English) continues to attract people from all over the world. If we knew exactly how and why these large boulders were put there, would Ales Stenar stir as much interest? Probably not.

The 59 boulders are laid out in the shape of a ship, 67 metres long and 19 metres wide, and like Stonehenge many theories have been raised about its purpose.

Ales Stenar, Kaseberga

Theories behind Ales Stenar

The two most credible theories differ widely on when and why the monument was assembled.  

An ancient astronomical clock

Some theories believe the stones served as an ancient astronomical clock, they have been aligned according to the winter and the summer Solstices. Every year people come to the site to see the sun going down at the northwestern stone in summer and rise exactly at the opposite stone in winter. This speculation goes back 2,500 years, during the Bronze Age.

A burial monument

However, the more popular theory of it being a burial monument dates back some 1,400 years, toward the end of the Nordic Iron Age. Some people say it was built in honour of the Vikings who perished in their voyages, and bringing more weight to this theory, the word ‘Ale’ meant ‘sanctuary’ in the ancient Nordic language.

Ales Stones, Sweden

The plot thickens

Recent excavations discovered the monument once had 60 stones instead of 59. The evidence isn’t clearly noticeable since the space of its location has since been reclaimed by earth. Nobody knows when it was taken, or where it was taken to…

One thing is for sure: You cannot help but feel the history when you come here, with the vast expanse of sea one side and on the other, 59 huge stones jutting up from the earth. The historical uncertainty invites you to make up your own stories and theories about why these stones were placed here.

Explore the surrounding area

Ales Stenar is located in Kaseberga on the outskirts of Ystad, one of Sweden’s most picturesque towns. It’s the cutest little town in South Sweden, and a trip to the area wouldn’t be complete without a visit.

I would also make a wonderful day trip from Malmo or Copenhagen. I hit lucky with the sunny weather, but I imagine Ales Stenar would also be an incredibly atmospheric place to come and hear the sound of the Baltic Sea crash against the foothills in blustery weather.

Kaseberga, Skane

A few hundred metres north of Kaseberga lies Ales Stenar.

A  few hundred metres north of Kaseberga lies the monolithic monument.

How to get to Ales Stenar

By car

If you have access to a car, driving is the most convenient way to reach Ales Stenar. From Ystad, follow signs for Kåseberga or Ale’s Stones. The drive takes approximately 15-20 minutes. There’s a parking lot near the site where you can leave your car.

By public transportation

If you prefer public transportation, you can reach Ales Stenar using a combination of train and bus:

  1. Train: Take a train from Malmö or Copenhagen to Ystad. Both cities are well-connected by train services operated by Skånetrafiken in Sweden and DSB in Denmark. The journey from Malmö takes around 35 minutes, while from Copenhagen it takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
  2. Bus: From Ystad train station, you can catch bus number 350 or 351 towards Kåseberga. The bus ride takes about 30 minutes. Make sure to check the bus schedule in advance, as the frequency of buses may vary depending on the time of day and season.
  3. Walking: Once you arrive in Kåseberga, Ales Stenar is a short walk from the bus stop. Follow signs or ask locals for directions. The walk takes around 10-15 minutes and offers scenic views of the surrounding countryside and coastline.

Does Ales Stenar stir your curiosity enough to visit?

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Hi, I'm Shing

Welcome to The Culture Map, a place where I share my travel guides, adventurous tales, and capture the inspiring diversity of our world.

10 Responses

  1. What a fascinating spot! Easter Island and the moai carry the same intrigue and mystery. It’s so wonderful to be able to visit these places in person. I’m impressed you were allowed to get up close and touch the stones! I imagine if this site gets more popular, they will get roped off.

    1. I would love to go to Easter Island like you Colleen, now that is a truly captivating and remote place!

      The Scans are pretty relaxed about things like this, but as you mentioned, I think that’s down to the relatively modest number of tourists compared to many other more popular sites.

  2. I think it is better for this one (as well as the Stonehenge) to remain a mystery. The moment their mystery is explained, they will cease to be intriguing. Can you imagine anyone who would want to go out of their way and come to Ales Stenar or the Stonehenge to see some stones formation which has been explained by science? I won’t!

  3. Hi! Lovely place, I wish to visit it for sure! I wouldn’t even know about it if I didn’t find your post on twitter. Just one thing to consider in future – could you please add some more pic of the place you visit (without you on the first place)? I mean, you are beautiful girl (without any doubt), but I really wish to see stones this time 😉 Please don’t take it personally, I’m just interested in the place 🙂
    Have a nice week!

    1. Hi Isabella, great you found my blog! Haha, I see your point, however, I thought this particular landscape benefitted with having someone in the photos to put the size of the stones into perspective.
      Have a great week ahead!

  4. I had no idea this existed! Was there any doubt that ale meant sanctuary? I love little history lessons like this, wish I had known when I was in Copenhagen.

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