Öland and Kalmar - Part 6 - Ismantorp Fort (22-May)

After dropping the key back, our next stop was Ismantorp Fortress, an iron-age stone encircled fort in the middle of a forest.  It is believed to have been constructed in 200 CE and abandoned in 650CE.  It was possibly used as a training centre.

The perimeter wall is 300m long  with nine gates.  Inside there are 95 houses arranged in 12 blocks around a a central open area with a circular building.  It is the largest and possibly oldest ringfort on Öland.

Walking through the forest to Ismantorp

From the sign at the fort:
"Ismantorp fort was built and used between 300 and 600 AD. The fort lies out of the way, but still close to surrounding villages. It was inspired by Roman camps, with hints of Nordic mythology. It is likely the fort had a largely military function, perhaps as a training camp, meeting place and store for plundered wares.  The fort has 95 sets of house foundations close to each other. Homes and workshops have a door opening in the end walls. Stables, animal sheds and barns have onle one end wall. Small-scale excavations have unearthed few artifacts and no cultural layer. It all suggests that Ismantorp was never a long-term settlement."

Layout of Ismantorp

Over the bridge

Over the stile

And across the clearing to the fortress

Heading towards one of the gates

And going inside

Exploring the ruins

360 degree panoramic view from the centre of the fortress

The ruins - showing the foundations of the buildings

     

Cam exploring the foundation of a possible stable

Side wall and foundations

Exploring

Nature starting to reclaim the ruins

Heading out the other exit