Vaksala Runestone, Norse runestone in Uppsala Municipality, Sweden
The Vaksala Runestone is a granite monument near Vaksala Church carved with delicate animal and runic figures interwoven into tight geometric patterns. The surface displays the deliberate handiwork of a master carver whose style shows through in the precise, interconnected designs.
The stone was created in the late 11th century by Öpir, a master carver active in the Uppland region, and is recorded as one of about forty stones he produced. His work represents a significant part of the runic monument tradition that flourished during that period.
The stone commemorates Ketilbjǫrn and mentions both his daughter Hylia and wife Rúnfríðr, reflecting how Viking Age families chose to honor their loved ones through carved memorials. These inscriptions reveal the personal bonds that mattered most to people of that era.
The stone sits beside Vaksala Church and is easy to reach from central Uppsala, offering visitors a quiet setting to examine the carvings closely. The location allows for unhurried viewing of the intricate details carved into the granite surface.
The stone displays a distinctive three-loop design pattern that clearly marks Öpir's handiwork and sets it apart from other carvers of his time. Experts recognize these particular characteristics when comparing his works scattered across the region.
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