Lunds backe

Archaological site

Outside Skänninge lies one of Östergötland's most remarkable burial grounds. On an elongated ridge stand 82 erected stones that give the burial ground a monumental and mystical expression. The site has long captured people's imagination and is surrounded by legends and myths.

There are about 165 visible graves in the burial site, the majority of which are from the Roman Iron Age. The 82 standing stones dominate, but there are almost as many stone settings here. Additionally, there may be a stone circle and a stone ring, though there is some uncertainty regarding these two, as the total of ten stones may be interpreted as individual standing stones.Close to half of the standing stones are lined up in four rows. The longest of the rows consists of 19 stones. The rest are scattered across the burial site. The sun stone is a stone placed roughly in the middle of the burial site. When the sun rises at the summer solstice, the first sun rays are expected to hit the top of the stone.If one were to remove the grass sod from the burial site, many more graves would likely be discovered. Lund's hill may conceal more than double the number of graves than we know of today.

Directions: From Mjölby, take road 50 towards Skänninge. Take the exit towards road 206/Vadstena/Skänninge N. Then follow the signs towards Borensberg, turn at the sign for Hassla N and follow the blue ancient remains sign with the text Lunds Backe. Parking is limited. Follow the road to the parking area. Coordinates: 58.434727, 15.155460