Eketorp

Eketorp

Eketorp is an Iron Age fort in southeastern Öland, Sweden, which was extensively reconstructed and enlarged in the Middle Ages. Throughout the ages the fortification has served a variety of somewhat differing uses: from defensive ringfort, to medieval safe haven and thence a cavalry garrison [K. Borg, U. Näsman, E. Wegraeus, "The Excavation of the Eketorp Ring-fort 1964-74". In "Eketorp Fortifikation and Settlement on Öland, Sweden", 1976] . In the 20th century it was further reconstructed to become a heavily visited tourist site and a location for re-enactment of medieval battles. Eketorp is the only one of the 19 known prehistoric fortifications on Öland that has been completely excavated, yielding a total of over 24,000 individual artifacts. The entirety of southern Öland has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Eketorp fortification is often referred to as Eketorp Castle.

History

The indigenous peoples of the Iron Age constructed the original fortification about 400 AD, a period known to have engendered contact between Öland natives with Romans and other Europeans. The ringfort in that era is thought to have been a gathering place for religious ceremonies and also a place of refuge for the local agricultural community when an outside enemy appeared. The circular design was believed to be chosen because the terrain is so level that attack from any side was equally likely. The original diameter of this circular stone fortification was about 57 metres. In the next century the stone was moved outward to construct a new circular structure of about 80 metres in diameter ["Eketorp Fortification and Settlement on Öland/Sweden: The Monument", Royal Academy of Letters History and Antiquities, 1976, 215pp] . At this juncture there were known to be about fifty individual cells or small structures within the fort as a whole. Some of these cells were in the center of the fortified ring, and some were actually built into the wall itself.

In the late 600s AD the ringfort was mysteriously abandoned, and it remained unused until the early 11th century. This 11th century work generally built upon the earlier fort, except that stone interior cells were replaced with timber structures, and a second outer defensive wall was erected.

Modern day situation

Presently the fort is used as a tourist site for visitors to Öland to experience a Mediæval fortification for this region. A museum within the castle walls displays a few of the large number of artefacts retrieved by the National Heritage Board during the major decade long excavation ending in 1974. Inside the fort visitors are greeted by actors in medieval costumes who assume the roles of period artisans and merchants who might have lived there nine centuries earlier. There are also re-enactment scenes of skirmishes and other dramatic events of daily life from the Middle Ages.

Eketorp lies a few kilometers west of Route 136. There is an ample unpaved parking area situated approximately two kilometers west of the paved Öland perimeter highway. There is also a gift shop on site. During peak summer visitation, there are guided tours available. Visitors are assessed an admission charge.

ee also

*Alby People
*Alvar
*Dry-stone wall
*Ringfort
*Stora Alvaret

References

External links

* [http://www.eketorp.se/index.php?language=en Eketorp] .


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Burg Eketorp — Eingangstor …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Paisaje agrícola del sur de Öland — Nombre descrito en la Lista del Patrimonio de la Humanidad …   Wikipedia Español

  • Stora Alvaret — Infobox World Heritage Site WHS = Agricultural Landscape of Southern Öland State Party = SWE Type = Cultural Criteria = iv, v ID = 968 Region = Europe and North America Year = 2000 Session = 24th Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/968The Stora… …   Wikipedia

  • Guldgubber — aus Sorte Muld Als Guldgubber (dänisch für „Goldmännchen“) werden 1 2 cm große Figurenbleche aus Gold genannt, deren Fundorte auf Skandinavien beschränkt sind. Die Verbreitung konzentriert sich auf Jütland (2), Bornholm (40), Norwegen (50) und… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mörbylanga — Gemeinde Mörbylånga Basisdaten …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Alu (runic) — Alu is a Germanic charm word appearing on numerous runic inscriptions found in Central and Northern Europe dating from between 200 and 800 CE. The word – the most common of the early runic charm wordsMacleod (2006:1009).] – usually appears either …   Wikipedia

  • Öland — Öland …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Wikiproyecto:Patrimonio de la Humanidad — Patrimonio de la Humanidad …   Wikipedia Español

  • Öland — For the Finnish island, see Åland. For other uses, see Oland (disambiguation). Öland Map of Öland …   Wikipedia

  • List of historic buildings in Sweden — Castles and fortresses= * Älvsborg Fortress (Göteborg) * Bjärka Säby Castle (Linköping) * Castle Boo (Hjortkvarn) * Bohus Fortress (Kungälv) * Bollhuset (Stockholm) * Borgholm Castle (Borgholm) * Brahehus * Carlsten Fortress (Marstrand) *… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”