Sparlösa Runestone, Norse runestone in Sparlösa socken, Sweden
The Sparlösa Runestone stands approximately 1.77 meters tall and carries inscriptions on all four sides plus the top surface, blending both older and younger runic scripts. The stone's surfaces are densely covered with varied symbols and images that combine written language with visual representations.
The stone was discovered in 1669 within the southern wall of Sparlösa Church and cracked during repairs following a fire accident in 1684. The broken pieces remained separated for a long time until they were finally reunited in 1937.
The stone displays names like Eric and Alrik connected to the Yngling dynasty, alongside carved images of ships, buildings, and various animals. These figures tell stories of the people and their world from that era.
You can view the runestone in a dedicated exhibition space next to Sparlösa Church, accessible through Vara Municipality's customer service center. The location is easy to reach and the area around the church offers a calm setting for examining the stone.
The stone bears the phrase runaR ræginkundu, connecting to ancient Norse mythology and meaning runes of divine origin. This rare inscription links the runestone carver's craftsmanship with the spiritual beliefs of the period.
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