Hovgården, Archaeological site in Ekerö Municipality, Sweden.
Hovgården is an archaeological site on Adelsö island containing the remains of ancient buildings, longhouses, and workshops from a Viking trading settlement. The visible foundations and partially excavated structures reveal how a larger settlement was organized and used over several centuries.
From the 8th to the 10th century, this was a royal residence that oversaw the nearby trading center of Birka, serving as an administrative hub. Its role in controlling and managing Viking Age commerce made it a key settlement in the region.
Artifacts found here over decades of excavation include tools, ceramics, and jewelry that reveal how craftspeople worked and what daily life looked like during the Viking Age. These objects help visitors understand the skills and routines of people who lived on this site.
The site is accessible by boat from Stockholm, with regular connections operating during the warmer months. Wear sturdy shoes and check local information ahead of your visit to confirm current access conditions and any seasonal restrictions.
This location served as an assembly ground where regional leaders gathered to make important political and legal decisions, with physical evidence of these gathering spaces still visible today. The layout reveals how power and governance were organized in Viking Age society.
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