The ancient hill fort that fell straight off a cliff

Tarstaborg, Sweden's largest and best-preserved ancient hill fort, rests on a hill that drops steeply to the west. This one is located in Sköllersta socken, between Sköllersta and Pålsboda in Hallsbergs kommun. Despite being surrounded by central Sweden's flat, green landscapes, the fort is anything but flat. It sits on a hill that slopes drastically westwards, with a 310-meter long stone wall around it to keep it safe. Outside the wall, there are the remnants of two more walls, totaling five entrances to the fort.<br><br>Inside the annex, a terrace might have once housed a dwelling.

The function of the house is still uncertain, but it's probable that Tarstaborg was more than a lookout post. Tarstaborg is the largest and best-preserved fort in Närke, a region defined by its ancient history and steep, rocky landscapes. This hill fort, surrounded by a ring of five entrances, sits apart from the rest, a stone sentry that has watched over the land for centuries.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons