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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Travel
Guardian readers

‘An awe-inspiring journey back in time’: readers’ favourite ancient sites in Europe

A cow finds a good use for one of Ales Stenar (Ale’s Stones) in southern Sweden.
The 5,000-year itch … a cow finds a good use for one of the Neolithic Ales Stenar (Ale’s Stones) in southern Sweden. Photograph: Matthias Graben/Getty Images

Sweden’s mystical iron-age monument

Ale’s Stones in Sweden’s far south (Ales Stenar) may resemble Stonehenge, but instead of being surrounded by roads, Ale cleverly put his stones on cliffs, providing visitors with spectacular views. Ponder the competing theories of what the stones are: a burial monument, a sun calendar? After a decades-long dispute, including a court case, the county agreed to let the opposing theory (sun calendar) also have a sign. Today, the area is a nature reserve. Easily accessible from Ystad (Wallander country), and an hour’s drive south-east from Malmö, it’s perfect for a day trip. Enjoy local food in the superb Kåseberga Fisk, a very Swedish shop/cafe beneath, which includes a vegan fish option.
Åsa

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