The first thing to strike a visitor to the Orebro stones is their unusual location. They are uniquely contained within three recessed circles that are cut in to the grass.
A visitor cannot help but wonder if they have stumbled upon a gigantic form of Crazy Golf. Or perhaps this is where the Throwing Gods practice their shot putt technique?
The already wonderful location is enhanced by the presence of a nearby river. The gentle flow of water is matched by the stream of pedestrians in this scenic environment.
The seven stones are located in 3 circles. The heaviest two are 161kg/355lb and 176kg/388lb respectively. The others were not weighed when Ryan Stewart, Nic Whalen and Mark Rows visited. However, they estimated many to be around the mid-to-high 200lb mark.
Mark successfully shouldering one of the stones (above).
Ryan lifting the heaviest stone (176kg/388lb) and displaying his now customary ,'Wish you were here' face.
A location like this does not come about by chance and is obviously man made.
Through a combination of hand signals, shouting, pointing, Google Translate and local signage, some basic facts were ascertained. Specifically, that the stones were placed there in 2009 in recognition of a stone lifting heritage in the region.
This has also occurred in other locations in Sweden. Below is a sculpture of a farmer lifting a stone. This piece of artwork sits in the Vimmerby town centre and was created by Henry Gustafsson
Vimmerby town centre statue(above)
Malmo, Sweden