Gråborg

Gråborg is Öland's largest ancient ringfort and also one of Sweden's largest facilities of its kind. It was probably built in the 4th century, as a fortification for the people of the area. Then the ringfort was used for periods of more than a thousand years. During the 12th century, a power struggle developed between chiefs from the Baltics, Poland, Swedes and Danish interests over trade in the Baltic Sea. The ringfort was then strengthened and provided with masonry arches and defense towers. The ringfort is considered to have been one of Öland's most important trading places. The location was strategically well chosen, in the middle of the island and with a connection to the fairway through Kalmarsund.

The ringfort wall has an area of ​​210 x 160 meters and the height of the ring wall varies 4-7 meters . The original height of the wall has been about 8-10 meters with a thickness of about 10 meters. In the northwest there is a gate with a medieval arch that is reinforced with lime mortar. The ringfort has previously had two more gates, one in the north and one in the south. According to older sources, the existing gate has previously been crowned by a smaller tower, even the southern gate has had a tower.

Below today's grass level are house foundations and walls. The farmers in the nearby village have for a long time grown seeds inside the ringfort.

At Gråborg is St. Knut's Chapel. A hiking trail, Mittlandsleden, goes past the ringfort in Mittlandsskogen and connects Gråborg with, among other things, Ismantorps borg and Rönnerum's ancient village . Gråborg is located by Borg's village . 

Before the ringfort you can go left out into the very well-maintained leafy meadows, Borg's meadows and rest at a well-equipped barbecue area . 

Here you can see Gråborg in an aerial photo from Lantmäteriet's web map (In mobile phone, tap on map in the menu)