Choose language

Favourites

No favorites

search

Runestones — messages from the Viking Age

The rune stone is perhaps the most unique thing we have to show in this part of Sweden. On the rune stone, the people of the Viking Age speak directly to us.

In the 11th century and well into the 12th century, many rune stones were erected in Fjärdhundraland, which was an important trading area with major waterways and travel routes. The Great Men wanted to show their importance to posterity, and erected stones, usually in memory of their dead. The rune stone was placed at a waterway, at the edge of a road or by a bridge.

The district of Uppland has the highest concentration of rune stones in the world, and you will pass rune stone after rune stone as you travel along the historic byways.

Imagine — you are travelling on the same road as the people of the Viking Age, and they have left you a message. Stop and read their runes. At many stones there is a sign where you can read the text.

Some of the rune stones in our area near Uppsala, Enköping, Västerås and Stockholm are described here, but you will find many more as you travel the back roads. There are an estimated 700-800 in our area. Read more about runes and rune stones at the National Heritage Board (Swedish) and on Wikipedia. All runic inscriptions are collected on the website Runes (Swedish)!

Fjärdhundraland's small roads are the perfect way to experience rune stones in Sweden, close to Stockholm, Uppsala and Västerås!

Morgongåva vikingaområde

Several rune stones and burial mounds.

Tillinge kyrka

Medieval church that today breathes more 18th century. Runestone and gravestone outside the church door.

Altunastenen

At the Altuna stone you will see exciting picture stories from the Viking Age fairy tale world.

Runstenen i Skillsta, Skogstibble

If a rune stone can be cocky, it's this one: "Tyde he who can"

Hjälsta kyrka

Hjälsta church was built at the end of the 15th century. It has high and stately vaults, but is completely devoid of medieval vault paintings. Do not miss the fine rune stones that stand just outside the cemetery wall west of the church.

Svinnegarns kyrka

Svinnegarn's church is located right next to road 55. Long ago it was a well-known pilgrimage site, which the large church gives a hint of. Runestones inside and outside the church.

Runsten vid Sundet, Långtora by

By rune stone standards, this is a particularly minimalist rune stone.

Kungs-Husby kyrka

Medieval church richly decorated with frescoes. Runestones walled into the church wall.

Bökstastenen

A Viking on skis can be seen on Bökstastenen.

Enköpings-Näs kyrka

Medieval church with tower, with a lot of furnishings from the Great Power period donated by the rich families of the parish. Runestone outside the church.

Runstenen vid Österunda kyrka

At the bell tower at Österunda Church you will find one of Upplands many rune stones. Like so many other rune stones, it was reused as the threshold of the church when it was built during the Middle Ages.

Runstenarna vid Ryda kungsgård

Two rune stones that speak of ancient travel routes.

Löts kyrka

A 13th-century church whose exterior is characterized by the early 20th-century view of how a church from the Middle Ages should look. Two rune stones in the choir.

Långtora kyrka

A typical Uppland church from the Middle Ages. At the entrance are two rune stones.

Uppsala-Näs kyrka

Uppsala-Näs church is visible at the side of the road - a nice place to stop! There is a rune stone in the church wall.

Runstenarna vid Ristningsbro i Tjursåker

Two rune stones along an ancient route.

Runstenarna i Brunnby

At a few hundred meters distance from each other, two rune stones stand, both of which are ridden by women.

Varpsundsstenen

An almost three meter high monument to a Viking disaster.

Runstenen i Forsby

Beside the road is a large cross-spruce ridge that tells us that Frögärd left the stone behind his husband Igul.

Västeråkers kyrka

Small medieval church with strong links to the Wik estate. Two rune stones in the cemetery wall.

Runsten i Isby

In the 1000s Torsten made this stone in memory of Halvdan.

Bildstenen vid Häggeby kyrka

Right next to the church is a fine picture stone.

Morgongåvas nya runsten

A thousand years ago, Ari, who lived at Ramsjö farm, decided to let a runic stone travel in memory of his father. While walking, the stone has found its way to Edinburgh, where it now stands. 2014 a copy of the stone was erected at home in Morgongåva.

Kälstastenen

On the road between Härkeberga and Skolsta is a rune stone that tells the story of a person who actually lived in this very place, Kälsta, a thousand years ago.