Sweden · Partial ruin
Earnaness
Aranæs (Årnäs) is the name of an ancient stronghold near Skara on the shore of lake Vänern in Västergötland, attested in the early 14th century and associated with the marshal Torkel Knutsson. The medieval stone castle was demolished in the later Middle Ages; the site has been the subject of archaeological excavation revealing a larger footprint than previously supposed.
Its prime
1300
Today
Partial ruin
As it stood in 1300
The shape it held in its prime.
At its prime (c.1300) Aranæs presented a compact stone stronghold set on the rocky shore of lake Vänern: thick curtain walls of large squared limestone or sandstone ashlar rising directly from the rock, with low terraced ramparts and packed earthen banks behind them. Within the enclosure timber buildings with steep gabled roofs clustered against the inner wall faces. The silhouette was more horizontal than tall, dominated by long stretches of stone curtain rather than lofty keeps.
Its story
The story of Earnaness.
The ancient stronghold of Aranæs stood near Skara on the shore of lake Vänern in Västergötland, attested in the early 14th century and associated with the marshal Torkel Knutsson. In this castle King Birger Magnusson signed a reconciliation treaty with his brothers, the dukes Erik and Valdemar Magnusson.
The dukes then poisoned the king's mind against his faithful marshal: Torkel was captured, taken to Stockholm and beheaded. The once magnificent stronghold was demolished and the land given to the convent of Gudhem, on condition that the nuns move to Aranæs within a year. They lived there for a decade before the estate passed to the king, and in 1683 Årnäs passed from the Crown to private owners. Archaeological excavation has since revealed a larger footprint than previously supposed.
Step inside
5 places to explore in 1300.
The record describes 5 distinct spots at Earnaness — including 1 interior: inner bailey/courtyard. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Earnaness with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1300 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
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