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!

Runstenen i Forsby

Beside the road is a large cross-spruce ridge that tells us that Frögärd left the stone behind his husband Igul. At the end of the 19th century, it was on the hair that this stone was transported away to Skansen in Stockholm, but the Mjölk company in Forsby, who considered that the stone was on their land, put an end to the increase. U1154

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Bildstenen vid Häggeby kyrka

Right next to the church is a fine picture stone.

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Runsten i Isby

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

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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.

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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.

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Morgongåva vikingaområde

The entire Fjärdhundraland is filled with history. In Morgongåva, a group of enthusiasts have made the story extra accessible in what is called Morgongåva Viking area. Within the area there are not only rune stones, but also burial mounds, tar piles and other exciting ones. See also Morgongåvas new runstone

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Altunastenen

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

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Runsten vid Sundet, Långtora by

With rune stone dimensions measured, this is an extremely minimalist rune stone. No intricate loops or intricate borders, but the grate has settled for a cross and a single rhinestone row on the high, smooth stone.

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Bökstastenen

A Viking on skis can be seen on Bökstastenen.

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Runstenarna vid Ryda kungsgård

The road between Nysätra church and Torstuna church is a road where people have traveled since time immemorial. Amunde and Ödgärd once lived here, who "had this stone erected after Anund, their son, and made a bridge". It is the runestone U 839, which stands by the roadside near Ryda kungsgård, a few hundred meters from Örsundaån, which was the […]

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Uppsala-Näs kyrka

Uppsala-Näs church can be seen at the side of the road — a nice place to stop! The church was built in the 15th century and has been renovated a number of times over the centuries. The church interior is white and without paintings. Part of a rune stone is embedded in the church wall.

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