Page 163 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

EASTERN GÖ T ALAND  161

The fort of Ismantorps Borg in plants grow here as well
Långlöt has been dated to the as a unique species of
5th century. Archaeological rock-rose (Helianthemum
finds show that it was probably oelandicum). The island is a
an important marketplace and resting place for cranes, but
cult site. It is encircled by a wall conditions on the plain are
up to 6 m (19 ft) thick and 3 m so harsh that only a few birds,
(10 ft) high with nine gates. such as the skylark and
Öland’s best preserved row wheatear, have succeeded in
of windmills can be seen in adapting to the environment.
Lerkaka, just to the south of
Himmelsberga. Situated along
a road, the mills are widely d Eketorps Borg
considered to be among the Öland. @ n 0485-66 20 00.
country’s most beautiful. One Open May–Aug; see website for
of the mills is always open, hours. Closed Midsummer’s Eve.
allowing visitors to go inside & ∑ eketorp.se
and look around.
The only one of Öland’s ancient
forts to have been completely
s Stora Alvaret excavated, Eketorps Borg Långe Jan at Öland’s Southern Cape,
was built in three stages. It Sweden’s tallest lighthouse
Öland. @
originated in the 4th century
The extraordinary limestone to protect the population and f Öland’s Southern
plain of Stora Alvaret dominates was later converted into a
southern Öland. Here, the fortified farming village with Cape
bedrock is around 400 million military functions, but was Öland. @ n Ottenby Naturum,
years old and is covered in abandoned in the 7th century. 0485-66 12 00 (Jun–Aug: daily). 8
a thin layer of soil that was It was thrust into use again at
used from prehistoric times the end of the 12th century in In the mid-16th century the
as grazing land. In the year the war between the royal area around Öland’s southern
2000 the area was declared houses of Erik and Sverker. cape became a royal hunting
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort has been partly ground and even today
In spring the ground is reconstructed to show descendants of the fallow
covered in pasque flowers how people lived and deer introduced by Johan
(Pulsatilla pratensis). The worked in the Iron III in 1569 can be
dominant species include Age. In the museum spotted. The northern
meadow oat-grass the numerous boundary of his land
(Helictotrichon pratense), artifacts uncovered is marked by Karl X’s
sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina) on the site are on Look out for hedgehogs, a wall, built in the
and a moss species, display, including threatened species 1650s to prevent
kalkbackmossa (Homalothecium jewellery and local people and
lutescens). Juniper bushes weapons. their animals from entering the
are common and lichen Around 10 km (6 miles) north grounds. To the south, Sweden’s
inches over bare rock. of Eketorp lies Seby Gravfält oldest and tallest lighthouse,
The extreme climate has with no fewer than 285 visible Långe Jan, stands to attention,
created almost desert-like ancient monuments in the 41.6 m (136 ft) high, and offers
conditions to which the flora form of different kinds of amazing views.
and fauna have had to adapt. burial sites, mainly dating At the southernmost tip of
Mountain and Mediterranean from the Iron Age. the island is a nature reserve,
Ottenby Naturum, and Ottenby
Fågelstation (the bird station).
Ornithologists come here to
study migratory birds close up
and conduct research. The
station has several bird-related
exhibitions and offers guided
tours around the nature reserve.
O Ottenby Fågelstation
Öland’s Southern Cape. Tel 0485-66
10 93. Open Mar–Oct: daily. &
8 Set guided bird tours mid-Mar–
The mighty walls of Eketorps Borg, a partly reconstructed Iron Age fort mid-Nov. -

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