A stone and bridge erected by memory at the Hånsta farm, 11th century Sweden

A stone and bridge erected by memory at the Hånsta farm, 11th century Sweden

Back in the 11th century, a family in Sweden commissioned a unique rune stone and an accompanying bridge. Today, you can visit the Hånsta farm to see these historical relics stand tall, bridging the gap between past and present.

In the Lena district of Sweden, the Hånsta farm was the home of a family who commissioned a rune stone in memory of their father, Jon, in the 11th century. This stone, known as 1031, is unique for it was not signed by the artist but attributed to Åsmund Kåresson by Erik Brate. The inscription on the stone reads: 'Sigdiarv and Holmbjörn and Torbjörn they let upraise this stone and make the bridge in memory of Jon, their father.' The translation of the inscription to Old Norse is: 'Sigdiarv and Holmbjörn and Torbjörn they let upraise this stone and make the bridge in memory of Jon, their father.' This stone and the bridge that was built centuries ago still stand at the Hånsta farm, offering a glimpse into the region's history and traditions.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nik Frost

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