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Svealand's District of
Sigtuna
District Leader:
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In the first millennium we have very little knowledge of Svealand and the Suiones. We do know that there was a migration of major population centers in the area and this is traditionally where we find the Danes, Goths and Lombards moving off from.
Sigtuna was also the site of the first Swedish mint; coins were stamped for Erik's son and successor Olof Skötkonung. Archaeological evidence also shows that Sigtuna had close western connections in its first phases of existence. Sigtuna today still has the honour of being the oldest surviving town in Sweden. Stora Gatan, Big Street, is probably Sweden's oldest street. Ten Rune stones still stand and are found at various places around Sigtuna. One hundred and fifty more dot the countryside. Remains found assumed to be a church has been dated to the later 11th century and another dating from the 13th century, Mariakyrkan, has been restored and is today one of Sigtuna's most arresting sites.
With the development of ecclesiastical organizations in the 12th century the Sigtuna See was transferred to Uppsala and elevated to the rank of archbishopric for Svealand. When this happened Sigtuna unfortunately lost much of its influence. It has however, managed to grow up through the 19th century and keep its character of an idyllic small medieval town to this day. Internet: Sigtuna Mälaren In print : Sigtuna, The Columbia Encyclopaedia, Sixth Edition 2007 Medieval Scandinavia: an Encyclopedia, ed. Phillip Pulsiano, et al. (New York : Garland, 1993
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