Ales Stenar – The Stonehenge of Sweden

How did 59 stones, each weighing up to 1,800 kg, end up on a hilltop in southern Sweden overlooking the Baltic Sea — and why? Welcome to Ales Stenar, the so-called “Stonehenge of Sweden.

It’s in our nature to hunt for answers in an effort to make sense of the world – but some things defy explanation. Ales Stenar, or Ale’s Stones, is one of them.

We love a mystery, maybe even more than a solution. The not-knowing fuels our imagination, pulling us back to the site again and again. That’s part of Ales Stenar’s magic: it keeps us guessing, keeps us wondering who built it and why.

If we had all the facts neatly laid out – the who, the when, the why – would we still feel the same thrill standing here? Probably not.

What we do know is striking. Fifty-nine boulders form an enormous stone ship  – 67 metres long and 19 metres wide – perched high above the Baltic Sea. It’s bigger than Stonehenge in footprint, though if we’re talking size, Avebury still wins the crown with the largest stone circle in the world.

Theories behind Ales Stenar

Like Stonehenge and Avebury, Ales Stenar comes wrapped in mystery. This hasn’t stopped people pondering and coming up with theories for centuries. While no one can agree on a definitive reason, these are the most popular:

An ancient astronomical clock

One school of thought sees Ales Stenar as an ancient solar calendar. The stones line up with the setting sun at the summer solstice and the rising sun at the winter solstice – a spectacle that still draws visitors every year. Imagine standing there 2,500 years ago, at the height of the Bronze Age, watching the sun slip behind the northwestern stone, marking the turning point of the seasons.

A burial monument

Another theory (and the more popular one) places Ales Stenar’s origins around 1,400 years ago, toward the end of the Nordic Iron Age. In this version, the stone ship becomes a memorial, built to honor the dead, perhaps fallen sailors or warriors who never returned from their voyages. Linguists even point to the word “Ale”, which meant “sanctuary” in ancient Nordic, lending weight to the idea that this was a place of reverence.

A Viking Assembly Place (Thing)

Some researchers suggest Ales Stenar may have been used as a thing, an outdoor gathering space where Viking-era communities met to settle disputes, trade, or hold important ceremonies. The ship-shaped layout might have symbolised a journey – perhaps even the “journey” of justice or decision-making.

Interestingly, this made me think of Thingvellir in Iceland, now a National Park, but formerly the home of Iceland’s first parliament.

Which one do you think seems most likely?

The plot thickens

Excavations have added yet another twist. Archaeologists discovered the site once had 60 stones, not 59. The missing one is long gone — swallowed by earth, taken who-knows-where. Was it dragged away for building material? Stolen as a souvenir centuries ago? No one can say.

That’s the real draw of Ales Stenar: the mystery refuses to die.

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.

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?