Adelsö Viking Week is staged annually at the
unique world heritage site of Birka-Hovgården. 

It celebrates the areas fantastic heritage by
bringing this ancient, multicultural trading centre
back to life for one week every summer.

Once again ancient Viking ships will sail to Adelsö. 

The vessels have been skill-fully recreated using traditional methods demonstrating the precision and dedication of the master boat builders of the Viking age.

Master craftsmen will set up market stalls and workshops recreating a typical Viking market. Warriors will demonstrate their battle skills and encourage the audience to participate in playful tests of strength and endurance.

Skilled demonstrators will lead workshops where children will be able to try their hand at the ancient craft of felt making and learn how to make earthenware using traditional methods. There is even archery available for those who are more adventurous! 

Expert guide, Kalle Runristare - the rune carver - will lead historic walks revealing the fascinating heritage of Hovgården.

There will be performances of the musical drama ‘ The Voice of the Runes’ by Beryl Kornhill with music by Jan Levander. Ad Mundi choir with professional actors bring to life the story told by the rune carving found on Hillersjöhällen, it depicts the peculiar destiny of Gerlög and her family.

You are invited to join in the festivities to experience what life may have been like during the Viking Age. Mingle with warriors, craftsmen, jesters and rune carvers who together recreate the sights and sounds of the ancient market place and reflect the life of ordinary people in the Viking Age. 

PROGRAMME 

The Viking Age
Throughout the Viking Age, kings lived and worked on Adelsö. From Hovgården, the king’s residence the activities of the ancient trading centre of Birka was monitored, controlled and protected from being plundered of its wealth. 

This week Hovgården will be brought back to life. Ships and boats will once again sail, row and compete on the waters of lake Mälaren. A traditional Viking market will be recreated where you will be able to hear the shouts of the traders mixed with the sounds of the craftsmen at work. 

*Activities include: 
-Battle displays by the king’s troops
-Travel across the waters of lake Mälaren on a Viking ship
-Historic walks with expert guides
-Traditional craft workshops for children
-Ancient music and entertainment
-Theatre performances, archery displays, parades and much, much more

The Middle Ages
Hovgården’s significant heritage continues well into the Middle Ages, therefore you will also encounter medieval men and women during the festival week. You can visit the remains of the medieval Alsnöhus castle, a building which has an important place in Swedish history. It was here during a meeting in 1278 that king Magnus Ladulås founded Sweden’s state of nobility.

Related Activities
In areas around Hovgården there will be an array of activities on offer to tie in with the celebrations of Adelsö Viking Week. Amongst other things there will be an ordinary market, guided tours, theatre, dance, the local heritage museum, café’s and so forth and deep in Hundskog wood in a coal miners cabin, a professional storyteller will transport young and old into the world of folk tales, myth and legend….

To travel to Adelsö you take the underground to Brommaplan station and from there take bus no. 312 to Adelsö and Hovgården.

* Adelsö Viking Week is organised by Alsnu Skepplag, who 
* work to promote Birka-Hovgården world heritage site and 
* make its cultural history come alive.

How to get to Adelsö?

By car or by local bus (lines 311+312) you will reach Adelsö after about 40 kilometers from Stockholm and Brommaplan. You travel through the pastorel landscape of Ekerö, a scenic region of many lakes. You will pass Drottningholm, the castle of residence for the Swedish royal family. If you wish to take a break from your journey you can stroll through the beatiful park or visit the unique baroque theatre from the 18th century. To finally get to Adelsö you must go by the ferry (toll-free). It takes 5 minutes and runs more or less semi-hourly both day and night.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 

The Birka-Hovgården archaeological site is located on Björkö Island in Lake Mälaren and was occupied in the 9th and 10th centuries. Hovgården is situated on the neighbouring island of Adelsö. Together, they make up an archaeological complex which illustrates the elaborate trading networks of Viking-Age Europe and their influence on the subsequent history of Scandinavia. Birka was also important as the site of the first Christian congregation in Sweden, founded in 831 by St Ansgar.

Birka-Hovgården were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993. The justification of the World Heritage Committee was: “The Birka-Hovgården area is a well preserved example of the Vikings' trading networks during the two centuries when they expanded economically and politically in Europe. Birka is one of the most complete and untouched Viking Age trading sites from the years 700-900."
During the Viking Age

Throughout the Viking Age (750 –1100) Swedish kings lived and worked on Adelsö. From Hovgården, the king’s residence the activities of the ancient trading centre of Birka was monitored, controlled and protected from being plundered of its wealth. Trading ceased at Birka around 970, but Hovgården remained a royal residence well into the Middle Ages.
During the Middle Ages

In the middle of the 13th century Alsnöhus castle was built on top of the royal estate, this was the first building in Sweden to be built from bricks. At this castle king Magnus Ladulås held a famous meeting in 1278, where Sweden’s state of nobility was founded.
Today

Today the area is a world heritage site protected by UNESCO. Visitors are allowed to roam freely throughout the entire site of Brika-Hovgården, sharing the footpaths and byways with the islands resident cows and sheep. From the hill on which the ruin of Alsnöhus castle is situated, visitors can enjoy the spectacular views over the sound to Björkö - the island where the Viking trade centre of Birka was once situated.


BB 18th century cottage and/or double and single rooms at the 18th century Adelsö rectory manor to rent. Location 1,5 kms distance to Adelsö church in a rural landscape with fields and meadows. Viking artefacts and the old castle nearby. Public tansports: daily frequent direct busses from Stockholm and in the summer steamship from Stockholm. 
Languages: French, German and Spanish.
Welcome, bienvenue, willkommen, bien venedo!
Katharina and Siegfried Joussineau + 46 8 56051184