Kåseberga, Sweden
We should build with the stones we have.
—Swedish proverb
This Swedish megalithic monument, an enigma similar to Stonehenge, consists of fifty-nine stones that form the shape of a boat on the green plains of southern Sweden near the fishing village of Kåseberga. Scholars have determined the approximate creation date of the monument was at the end of the Nordic Iron Age or roughly 2,700 years ago. They speculate that the stone formation could have been an ancient burial site, a monument to the Vikings (who believed death was a journey into the unknown), or possibly the earthly stone ship of the god Heimdall of the ancient Scandinavians. The position of this ship on Earth in relation to celestial bodies in heaven has implications for measuring the transit of the sun, cycles of the seasons, and winter and summer solstices.
If you are curious about the spiritual beliefs of the ancient peoples who constructed the megalithic monuments or would value time in quiet reflection in the serene, cool climate of southern Sweden, visit Ales Stenar. There are bed-and-breakfast establishments in Kåseberga and hotels in nearby Ystad. Take bus 322 or drive from Ystad to Kåseberga and then walk from the parking lot uphill to the stones.
Read about Ales Stenar in preparation for seeing the monument. As you walk around the monument, reflect on the ancient builders of the megalithic monuments (there are many in Sweden), as well as the Vikings, and what relevance their spiritual beliefs might have for you.
The Ales Stenar monument is more than 219 feet long. At the solstices, the ship’s bow and stern are aligned to the position of the sun.