The advantage of rock climbing compared to mountaineering is that you don’t have to go to the mountains at all. Climbing walls can be found in almost every major city. However, the largest of them all, called Excalibur, is located in Groningen, the Netherlands.

　　You don’t necessarily have to leave your home to get some active exercise. In fact, similar climbing walls have recently been developed that can be installed on rooftops of buildings, in offices, or even in apartments. It’s truly a great way to stretch out stiff muscles caused by long hours of sitting.

　　But in Groningen, the Netherlands, the construction company Klimcentrum Bjoeks has built the world’s largest climbing wall and named it Excalibur.

　　The reason for choosing such an unusual name is that the climbing wall resembles a sword being pulled out of a stone, just as described in the legends of King Arthur. These references are not entirely accurate in principle, because the legendary king received Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake, while the sword he pulled from the stone was called Clarent. But this is a common misconception, so the designers of this bold project can be forgiven.

　　Excalibur stands 37 meters tall, equivalent to the height of a 12-story building. Even seasoned climbers are likely to get dizzy from such an incredible height.

　　This sword-shaped climbing wall is not only for super-professional climbers. The wall has a curved shape, with the angle becoming steeper the higher you go. The top of Excalibur is 11 meters away from its base. Therefore, beginners can climb the relatively easier lower section, and as they gain experience, they can climb higher and higher until they reach the summit.