Hovgården

Welcome to Hovgården, situated on the serene island of Adelsö in Lake Mälaren. As you step off the boat and feel the gentle breeze sweeping across the dark waters, you are stepping into a landscape of profound historical gravity. …

Standing here at the water's edge, we are at the historical threshold of Hovgården. This shoreline is remarkably peaceful today, with only the gentle lapping of Lake Mälaren against the stones. …

We now stand upon the elevated terraces that once supported the magnificent Viking Great Hall. While today you see only the subtle depressions and foundation stones in the grass, this was once the most important building in the…

As we move slightly higher up the terrain, we encounter the striking brick and stone ruins of Alsnö Hus. This structure represents a fascinating shift in the timeline of Hovgården, bridging the end of the Viking Age and the dawn…

Looming before us are the Kungshögarna, the Great Burial Mounds of Hovgården. These massive, grass-covered hills are perhaps the most visually arresting features on the island. …

Here we find the Tolir Runestone, an exquisite piece of historical documentation carved directly into the bedrock. Runestones are the most direct voices we have from the Viking Age, cutting through the silence of time. …

Our final stop at Hovgården brings us to Adelsö Church, a striking white building that stands as a testament to the profound religious transformation of Scandinavia. The church was built in the late twelfth century, during a time…

As we conclude our tour of Hovgården, let us take one final look out over the waters of Lake Mälaren toward the island of Björkö. The relationship between these two islands is the key to unlocking the Viking world. …