In the heart of Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden, lies a unique medieval stone, known as Uppland Runic Inscription 53. About half a meter tall, it features an intricate Urnes-style carving of a serpentine dragon amid runic text. Though the son’s name remains unknown, the dragon is thought to have a deeper meaning. The runestone, believed to have been transported from nearby Iron Age settlements on Norrmalm or Södermalm for use in construction, predates Gamla Stan’s founding by roughly 200-300 years, suggesting the site had significance before medieval urbanization. Its presence in Gamla Stan today is a testament to Stockholm's rich history. The runestone, classified as being carved in runestone style Pr4, is Urnes style.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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