Experiencing the runestones of Uppland is like stepping back in time, offering a unique glimpse into Sweden’s ancient culture. Each runestone carries its own story from a bygone era, shedding light on the lives and adventures of our ancestors.
Uppland holds the world’s highest concentration of runestones – more than 1,300 in total. Most were raised toward the end of the Viking Age, in the 11th century AD. One theory is that the stones were a way to mark the transition from Norse paganism to Christianity. Many bear Christian crosses, but depictions of Norse gods like Thor also appear. Perhaps people simply wanted to keep their options open when it came to the afterlife…
Exhibition: Tyde den som kan (Read Them If You Can)
At the exhibition at Gamla Uppsala Museum, visitors can explore some of the most fascinating rune inscriptions, study authentic runes, learn how to decipher runic writing, and even create their very own runestone. The exhibition aims to inspire curiosity and encourage visitors to venture out and interpret the runestones scattered across the landscape.
Runestones in the University Park
One of the easiest ways to experience runestones in Uppsala is to take a walk through University Park in front of the University Main Building. Several stones, relocated here from different parts of Uppland, tell stories about people and life during the Viking Age.
One of them, known as the Örby Stone, was carved in the 11th century by Vigmund and Åfrid and has a particularly captivating history. It was loaned to the World’s Fair in Paris in 1867, but on the way home it accidentally fell overboard in a French harbor. After resting on the seabed for more than 30 years, it was rediscovered during dredging—and today, it’s once again on display in Uppsala.
The Rune Map
With the help of Runkartan (the Rune Map), you can easily locate and explore runestones throughout Uppsala and Uppland, planning exciting trips to sites where these historical treasures stand. The interactive map offers detailed descriptions and photos, helping you discover the stones in their authentic surroundings.
