Bridge to the Sunship and Wallanders Ystad Viking Runestones

Explore Skåne’s scenic beauty, Wallander’s Ystad, and ancient Sunship stones. Journey through history and fiction, crossing the iconic Øresund Bridge.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Oresund Bridge - Oresund Bridge - We journey across the iconic Øresund Bridge, which was the longest bridge in the world for both road and rail when it was built. As we cross, we enjoy a stunning view of the Øresund and the Danish and Swedish coasts.
  • Anderslov - On our way to Anderslöv, we pass through the picturesque Swedish countryside and tiny villages, each home to around 50 residents. The road we travel is known as the Counts Road, named for the many Swedish aristocrats who once owned land in this area.
  • Herremannabron - This historic area features Runestones and a Medieval bridge, where people still celebrate New Year’s Eve. Nearby is the old Väpmannahög, which gave its name to Vemmenhög.
  • Skivarp - Skivarp is an urban area with 1,250 residents in Skurup Municipality, Skåne Län, Sweden. Skivarp’s church dates back to the 12th century.
  • Tullstorp - Here stands the famous Tullstorp stone, a combined rune and picture stone. It is located at the far end of the cemetery by a small hill and dates back to around 960 - 980. The images depict a ship of the Eastern Roman type and “The great beast,” possibly a wolf. A small leaflet about the Tullstorp stone can be found in the church, which replaced the old medieval church in the 19th century.
  • Vastra Fagelviks kyrka - This lovely church is situated in a very special place, high up in the middle of the village. Unfortunately, it is not open for visits, but it remains a cultural heritage site in all its glory.
  • Snårestadsvägen - Sjörup’s old church was rebuilt sometime between 1150 and 1170 under the leadership of Carl Stenmästare. Previously, a wooden stave church stood on the same site, a common church type during the early Christian period in what was then Denmark. Byggmästare Carl Stenmästare also participated in the construction of Lund’s cathedral, completed in 1145.
  • Balkakra Kyrkoruin - We pass a ruined church that was last used in the early 1900s. Behind it is a large farm with beautiful fields.
  • Ystad - Ystad is a town on the south coast of Scania with 18,350 residents and serves as the seat of the municipality of Ystad in Skåne län, Sweden. The city center features many medieval buildings, and Ystad, with its approximately 300 half-timbered houses, is Scania’s best-preserved medieval town.
  • Kaseberga - Kåseberga is an old fishing village in Ystads municipality in Skåne county. The distinctive ridge Kåse Head rises almost 30 meters above the sea and the town. A few hundred meters to the northwest lies Ale’s stone.
  • Ales Stenar - Magnificent view of the Baltic Sea. On a high hill with a stunning view of the Baltic Sea and Bornholm, the stone set Ales stenar stands. The 59 stones are arranged in a ship-like formation, 67 meters long and up to 19 meters wide. From the small fishing village of Kåseberga, a path leads up to Ales stenar.

Ship setting or solar calendar?
There are two different theories about the purpose of Ale’s stones and when the site was built. Archaeologists from the state Riksantikvarieämbetet believe that Ales stenar is a shipwreck from the Late Bronze Age (1000 - 500 BCE) or Late Iron Age (500 - 1000 CE) and that the site likely served as a burial ground.

  • Ales Stenar - Another group outside the established scientific community argues that Ale’s stone is a large solar calendar and sundial dating back to the Bronze Age. Coincidentally or not, Ale’s stone is oriented so that the “bow of the ship” points exactly towards the sunset at the summer solstice (the longest day of the year) in June, and the “stern” points towards the sunrise at the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) in December.
  • Ales Stenar - Stones point to sunrises and sunsets. The individual stones also align precisely with the rising and setting of the sun over a 30-day interval, as seen from the center of the stone setting. The Viking calendar began at the winter solstice around December 23 and consisted of 360 days divided into 12 months of 30 days each. According to proponents of the solar calendar theory, this calendar dates back to the Bronze Age when the stone set was erected. The sunrise on January 23, February 22, March 24, etc., occurs exactly in front of a stone, as seen from the center of the stone setting. This alignment holds true when you account for the sun’s path displacement since the Bronze Age and the 1.5 meters of sand that have accumulated on the stone setting, which means the people of the time viewed the stones from a slightly lower perspective. The entire site is arranged according to the solar path for 11 months of 30 days each and one month of 35 days.
  • Valleberga Kyrka - Built of limestone in the mid-12th century, it is the only known fortified round church in Scania. The master mason, Carl Stenmästare, also built churches on Bornholm, where round churches were common. The baptismal font, carved by the Romanesque artist known today as Majestatis, depicts one of the legends about Saint Peter and Paul of Tarsus. The pulpit was made in 1619, and the altar cabinet dates to the early 16th century.

In 1791, the round church was significantly altered with extensions to the north, west, and south. These extensions were demolished in 1908–1910 when the round church was restored, and a large cathedral-like extension, including a new tower, was added to the west.

  • Sandåkra - We make our way back to Denmark after enjoying the beautiful view over the Baltic at Kåsaberga. This countryside inspired Henning Mankell to write the Wallander detective stories.
  • Oresund Bridge - Oresund Bridge - We return to Denmark, crossing the Øresund via the Øresund Bridge.
What's Included
  • On-board WiFi
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information

We travel across the impressive Øresund Bridge to Sweden and the lovely county of Skåne, with its rolling hills and charming little villages. Then we make our way along the Counts Road to Ystad, home of Henning Mankell’s fictional Detective Kurt Wallander. After some time in Ysatd, we will make our way to the seaside village of Kåsaberga, above which, is the Sunship, which is ring of stones in the shape of a ship, that dates back to the Bronze age. Who put them there? Perhaps that’s a case for Kurt Wallander?

Finally we make our way back to Copenhagen, through Wallander Country and recross the Øresund Bridge, made famous in the television series. ‘The Bridge, entering Denmark again via the man-made island of Pebberholm.

  • Not suitable for people who have problems walking over rough ground.
Location
Hotel Astoria, BW Signature Collection
Banegårdspladsen
Meet outside the Astoria Hotel, Banegårdspladsen 4, near Copenhagen Central Rail Station (Hovedbanegård).
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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