In 970, King Erik the Victorious decided where Sigtuna town would be built – a new era in the Swedish history was about to begin… Today we can go back in time and visit medieval churches, ruins, castles and rune stones from the Viking Area. This is where Sweden begins. Sigtuna Rådhus, one of the town’s main attraction, built in the 18th century, is the smallest town hall in Sweden!
Now Sigtuna town carries name to the whole Municipality, which includes Sweden’s international Airport Arlanda, Märsta and Rosersberg. The main street Stora Gatan, is lined by beautiful wooden houses with shops, restaurants and cafes. All year round, visitors from around the world, on Sweden’s first pedestrian street, enjoy good food and shopping across the street.
Dominican friars built the first brick church, Mariakyrkan – St. Mary’s, in the mid-13th century, making it one of the oldest brick buildings in the Lake Mälaren valley. St Mary’s church was part of the friary until the Protestant Reformation and dissolution of the monasteries in the early 16th century. It is still the parish church of Sigtuna today.
The construction of St. Olaf’s church begun probably in the first half of the 12th century. The remains of it has been the subject of several smaller scientific excavations in the 2000s, when researchers have been curious about the church’s remarkable architecture. The excavations have found that the church remnants of today rest on an older building – perhaps the oldest stone church in Sweden. The building came to a halt, perhaps because of the lack of funds. Probably there was a long house in the wood throughout the Middle Ages.
Source of the Historical information: sigtuna kommune official website.
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Great pictures! I never seem to make it that up north every times I visit Europe. Will make it a point on my next trip
Giangi
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Thank you. It is a nice little gem we found out yesterday
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More gorgeous photography. I would love to visit this place for sure.
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Thank you so much Danice !
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Looks like a very charming place! Great photos…they really scream “summertime”!
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Yes it is 🙂
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Thank you for sharing such beautiful photos!
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Thank you for visiting !
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Impressive
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What a cool little place to visit and relax.
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Thank you George, it is indeed!
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Great article, I am going to reblog this one for you.
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Thank you
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The style of the former Dominican church is very similar to a Dominican Church I saw in Krakow, Poland, earlier this month.
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Krakow is a beautiful town, I love it
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It is, very beautiful.
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