"Moscow-Sigtuna" Top 5 Page for this destination Sigtuna by Kuznetsov_Sergey

Sigtuna Travel Guide: 82 reviews and 227 photos

The small Swedish city of Sigtuna has very rich and inconsistent history. For Russians, this city is especially interesting. I've found it out during our visiting Sigtuna in August 2006.

Sigtona - St Olaf

It is considered, that the city was established in 980 by King Erik Segersäll (Eric the Victorious). While other sources claim his son - King Olof Skötkonung as a founder of the city. Sigtuna - one of the oldest, and probably the oldest city in Sweden. Olof Skötkonung, minted Sweden's first coin there. From a small settlement the large city gradually grew and became the first Swedish capital. From 1000 the residence of bishop was settled down there.

More than 200 years Sigtuna was the largest shopping center of Sweden.
Sigtuna was rather favorably located on a coast of the lake Melaren connected by passage with the Baltic sea.

The central position in relation to the basic areas of Sweden transformed Sigtuna into the main port for foreign trade of the country. The old, trading ways laid by Normen connected coast of the lake of Melaren with the countries of east coasts of the Baltic sea: Finland, Estonia and rich Russian grounds, and with the countries laying to the south from the Baltic, - slavic Pomorze and Germany, and with located to the West Denmark.

Sigtuna - Mariakyrkan

Sigtuna was, obviously, also an intermediary in trade between Russia and countries of Western Europe. The fact is well known, that in the XII century in this city there was significant enough layer of Russian population. It told us about sizes and value of trade with Russia in life of Sigtuna.

For Russians Sigtuna is remarkable by two circumstances. Its name is connected with well-known Ingigerda - a wife of the Grand duke of Kiev Jaroslav Mudry. The second circumstance is connected with well-known Sigtunian gate decorating the Cathedral of Sacred Sofia in Novgorod, and taken out of Sigtuna by Russian soldiers in 1187 after attack and destruction of the city.

That is why I consider my visiting to Sigtuna a significant event for me.

Last visit to Sigtuna: Aug 2006
Intro Updated Oct 11, 2006
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (20)

By car to Sigtuna Transportation (1)

Sigtuna is on the distance of 40 kilometers from Stockholm. It is possible to pass there by car on motorway Å4 in a... more travel advice

Sigtuna's goose Off The Beaten Path (7)

In days of our visiting of Sigtuna there was very changeable weather. The rain was replaced by the sun. But in some... more travel advice

Uppsala - Erik's bural place (Sigtuna's founder) - Sigtuna

Erik's bural place in Uppsala Off The Beaten Path (7)

Sigtuna was founded in the year 980 by King Erik Segersäll, making it Sweden's oldest town. His burial place is in the... more travel advice

Moscow - Historical museum - Sigtuna gate copy - Sigtuna

Sigtuna gate copy in Moscow Off The Beaten Path (7)

The gate were kept inside of the temple in the disassembled kind till the XIVth century. Novgorod master Avraam made... more travel advice

Favorites (4)
See All Sigtuna - Russian destruction

Things to Do (8)
See All Runic stowns

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (14)

Redang May 17, 2010 at 10:30 PM Report Abuse

I'll go there in August; thanks!
hunterV Dec 6, 2009 at 12:26 PM Report Abuse

It's a great place to visit!
LoriPori Apr 14, 2008 at 5:12 AM Report Abuse

Lovely page on Sigtune. Especially enjoyed the story about Ingigerda. That "unusual goose" certainly looks like one of our native Canada Goose. Perhaps he was in Sweden on holiday!
JLBG Apr 29, 2007 at 9:05 PM Report Abuse

Excellent page, very informative. I was in Sigtuna some years ago for a scientific meeting but sadly enough have visited none of the great places you mention (short of free time)! Too bad! Your Sigtuna goose is Brenta Canadensis, the Canadian goose.
traveldave Feb 24, 2007 at 6:40 AM Report Abuse

I had never heard of Sigtuna, so I appreciated learning about this pretty town by reading your page.
matcrazy1 Feb 21, 2007 at 12:31 AM Report Abuse

It looks like a lovely town. Fascinating ruins and old history I didn't know. Nice picture of Sigtuna's goose. I also like houses in Storagatan and dog's training :-)
Trekki Jan 15, 2007 at 9:39 AM Report Abuse

I have heared now so much about this tiny old town but missed to visit it last December. So it is nice to read your writings about Sigtuna :-)) Very interesting old history :-)
deecat Nov 14, 2006 at 9:30 AM Report Abuse

St. Olaf and St. Peter ruins are fascinating & you do a superior job relating the important information. Loved the church, museum, small town hall, the wonderful door with all its significant history,the lake & goose. Great work.
MalenaN Nov 2, 2006 at 10:10 PM Report Abuse

Sigtuna is a lovely town! Interesting to hear about the Russian conection!
Irinna Oct 24, 2006 at 2:17 AM Report Abuse

I admire your pages! And Off the beaten path is best of all!