Höjentorp Castle Ruins, Axvall, Sweden

The castle ruins in Gamla Höjentorp dates back to the 13th century. The castle is said to have been donated to the bishop of Skara in 1284, but was then returned to the crown at the time of Gustav Vasa’s reformation. At the middle of the 17th century, Queen Kristina gave the castle as a wedding gift to Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie’s wife, Maria Eufrosyne. In 1722 the castle burnt down and it is said that Queen Ulrika Eleonora was visiting at the time. She watched the fire from a nearby hill, which was then named after this Drottningkullen (the Queen Hill).

Today only the ruins of the basement remain of the original castle, but the place bears witness of the importance of this area in the Middle Ages, which was also when Skara had its period of greatness. In the overgrown castle garden are beautiful ashes and lime-trees and in the slope down towards the Garden Lake it smells of ramsons and other rare plants.

References:

Skara Tourist Office

User Reviews

Stoffy Yffots (7 months ago)
There is only a large pile of stones, a staircase and a hole with a staircase that is inhabited by sheep. If you are in the area you are welcome to take a look at it, but I wouldn't go there specifically.

Tmino Pulsar (8 months ago)
Magic place,nice forest...

Pauli (8 months ago)
Very nice views and a gorgeous hike. The one we went on is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers tho.

Per Larsson (4 years ago)
Fine trails in the right historical nature in Eggby.

Gisela Lantz (4 years ago)
Wonderful place with nice hiking trails!

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

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Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Höjentorp Castle Ruins

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