Vätteryd

Tjörnarp, Sweden

The Vätteryd grave field, also known as Vätterydshed, dates from the Iron Age. The grave field consists of 183 menhirs, 15 stone ships - the largest 25 m long and 8 m wide - and 2 circles. Many of the stone ships are so damaged that all that remains are parts smaller than half the original size.

In the beginning of the 19th century, Vätteryd, with about 600 menhirs, was considered the largest grave field in Scandinavia. The research conducted between 1955 and 1957 made clear that the site had been a place of cremation burials. The grave goods found - such as bronze jewelry, glass and bronze pearls, and bronze wire - were taken to various museums in Stockholm.

References:

Comments

Your name



Address

23, Tjörnarp, Sweden
See all sites in Tjörnarp

Details

Founded: 550-900 AD
Category: Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in Sweden
Historical period: Vendel Period (Sweden)

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

D Henrick (16 months ago)
How fortunate that we got there by chance. Easy to find alongside the road from Höör. As one can read it is the biggest and best-preserved grave field in Skåne. Of probably several hundreds or thousands of stones in the past, today 375 stones are still standing. To me, the stone ships shaped impressively. Come here at sunset to feel the energy of this place.
Alan Rasmussen (16 months ago)
Historical intetesting an a nice short walk
Peter Jan Randewijk (18 months ago)
No as impressive in real live as on the pictures. Next to a busy road and a ploughed field on the other side. My thoughts were the whole time, "how many grave sones got destroyed by the road and the ploughed field?" Some signs / information boards would be nice to explain what one is seeing.
Bartłomiej Pyrcz (4 years ago)
Here you will feel history. Very nice place.
Jandi Hallin (5 years ago)
Finfint picknick ställe.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Santa Maria in Trastevere

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. The basic floor plan and wall structure of the church date back to the 340s, and much of the structure to 1140-43. The first sanctuary was built in 221 and 227 by Pope Callixtus I and later completed by Pope Julius I. 

The inscription on the episcopal throne states that this is the first church in Rome dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, although some claim that privilege belongs to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. A Christian house-church was founded here about 220 by Pope Saint Callixtus I (217-222) on the site of the Taberna meritoria, a refuge for retired soldiers. The area was made available for Christian use by Emperor Alexander Severus when he settled a dispute between the Christians and tavern-keepers.

The church underwent two restorations in the fifth and eighth centuries and in 1140-43 it was re-erected on its old foundations under Pope Innocent II.