The Kivik Grave in the eastern part of the county of Skåne in Southern Sweden appears to be the result of an unusually magnificent burials that took place 3,000 years ago. Despite poor handling and an imperfect restoration in the past, it remains a unique example of Northern European Bronze Age culture, differing from other graves of this period in terms of its decoration and size. The stone casket is decorated with a multitude of fascinating images that have been engraved into the stones.

The Kivik Grave is the largest circular burial site in Sweden, measuring 75 meters in diameter. For a long time, it was a monument in wretched condition that few people bothered to visit.

One summer's day in the year 1748, two farmers had been quarrying stone in the area, when they stumbled across a 3.25 meters long casket made up of eight flat rocks. The farmers, however, were mostly engrossed by the possibility of finding a valuable treasure. Several years later, the inscriptions on the casket were discovered and became subject of various dissertations. Despite the attention, the quarrying in the mound of stones continued, and the grave was even more damaged.

A thorough, scientific investigation of the grave was finally carried out in 1931. The mound of stones and the grave were constructed in connection with a restoration in the following years. The restoration was based partly on drawings from the 18th century, as well as educated guesses. Furthermore, the grave area was improved to facilitate the public's visits to the monument of ancient culture.

The themes of the inscriptions are people, animals, ships, horns, symbolic signs and a two-wheeled cart pulled by horses. The images perhaps recapitulate the procession and ceremonies that took place at the funerals, which may have been inspired by non-Nordic models. In the county of Skåne, the Grave is often called "Kungagraven," which means the King's Grave. Earlier the archaelogists thought that the man who was buried here most likely played a prominent role in the network of metalworking centre's in ancient Europe. Recent examinations of the bones indicate that there are several individuals buried in the grave during a longer period. Some of these persons were probably teenagers.

Opening hours

The grave mound and the nearby Ängakåsen burial ground with more than a hundred stone settings can be visited year round. Access to the grave chamber is possible from May 15 - Aug 31, 10 am - 6 pm. Tickets can be bought are available in the coffee-shop at the site, where you also can buy souvenirs, and books and get information about the surroundings. MP3-players containing guided tours in English, German and Dutch are available. The Kivik's Grave is Sweden's most famous circular Bronze Age-grave.

Travel directions

The Kivik Grave is just outside Kivik, along road No 9 in Skåne. Ängakåsen burial ground is situated a few hundred meters from the Kivik's Grave. There are information panels signs at the site.

For more information and booking of guided tours

Please call Gunnel Skölwe +46(0)414-70337 or +46(0)417-27365. +46 70 755 20 53