Jarlabanke Runestones

Welcome to the historic causeway known widely as Jarlabankes bridge. As you stand upon this ancient thoroughfare, you are stepping back into the mid-eleventh century, an era when the landscape of Uppland was undergoing profound…

As we approach the most prominent of the surviving runestones, we are immediately confronted by the extraordinary ego of its creator. The inscription carved into this massive slab of granite begins with a declaration that is…

Moving to the second large runestone positioned near the entrance of the causeway, you will immediately notice a dramatic feature that has nothing to do with the Viking Age. Running straight through the middle of the stone is a…

To truly appreciate the artistry before us, we must look closely at the specific stylistic choices made by the master carver. The runestones at Jarlabanke's causeway are brilliant examples of what runologists refer to as the…

If we examine the lower section of the main runestone, a wonderfully human story of trial and error begins to unfold. At first glance, the text flows beautifully along the serpent's body. …

As we walk further along the causeway, it is important to realize that the two magnificent runestones we have examined are only half of the original ensemble. When Jarlabanke finalized his monumental bridge project in the…

Standing near the midpoint of the reconstructed causeway, let us take a moment to deeply consider the monumental engineering effort required to build this structure. The Swedish landscape of the eleventh century was remarkably…

As we reach the end of our journey across Jarlabanke's monumental causeway, it is time to reflect on the enduring legacy of this extraordinary site. This relatively short stretch of reconstructed road offers us an unparalleled…