Europe's most fascinating megalithic monuments

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Europe's distant past is exemplified by a landscape embellished with strange and mysterious megaliths—large stones that form prehistoric monuments. This ancient architecture includes dolmens, menhirs, and stone circles. Some of these structures are world-famous landmarks. Others are not as well-known but still impress with their baffling presence.

 

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Portugal​

Located near the Alentejo village of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, not far from Évora, the Almendres Cromlech comprises the most comprehensive group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula.​

 

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Norway​

Stoplesteinan, a stone circle in the town of Egersund, consists of 16 raised stones and is believed to indicate a burial site.​

 

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Spain​

The resort island of Menorca is home to a remarkable megalithic chamber tomb, the Naveta des Tudons. Located on the western part of the island, the tomb draws visitors from across the region.​

 

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Denmark​

Louisenlund, on the Danish island of Bornholm, is the site of one of the country's largest and most important collection of megaliths.​

 

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Sweden​

The remarkable Ale's Stones near Kåseberga, Sweden, is a monument shaped as a stone ship.​

 

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Ireland​

A Bronze Age ritual site, the Beltany stone circle was associated with marking the summer and winter solstices and equinox. It is located near the town of Raphoe, County Donegal.​