Eketorp

Eketorp, or Eketorps borg, is an archaeological site on the island of Öland in Kalmar County, Sweden. It centers on a fortified settlement known as Eketorp Fortress, a large ring fort built in concentric earthworks and stone walls. The fortress, with its gates, ramparts and interior buildings, was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded, reflecting a long period of occupation from the late Iron Age into the medieval era.

Archaeological research began in the 19th and 20th centuries, with extensive excavations in the 20th century uncovering layers of occupation including homes, workshops and stockyards, as well as ceramics and metal objects that indicate long-distance trade in the Baltic region.

In the 1960s onward, the Kalmar County Museum funded a reconstruction to illustrate how life may have looked within the fortress during different periods. The reconstructed ramparts and wooden houses are used to interpret Iron Age, Viking Age and medieval life and are complemented by an on-site museum with artifacts and interpretive displays.

Today Eketorp is a protected cultural heritage site and a popular destination for researchers and visitors, offering guided tours, demonstrations and exhibitions that reflect its significance in regional history and defense archaeology.