MAESHOWE CHAMBERED CAIRN

It is one of the most beautiful tombs of this type in Europe, among those built about 5,000 years ago. The entrance passage to Maeshowe is aligned with the mid-winter sunset, so that light illuminates the interior of the tomb. Vikings broke into Maeshowe in the mid 12th century, long after it had fallen into disuse and oblivion. They too left their mark on the site: this time in the form of graffiti carved in runes on the walls of the main chamber.