Viking Island

After returning to Stockholm, we took a cruise to Birka, an island in Lake Malaren that was once home to a Viking city. Today, Birka is an active archaeological site and home to an interesting museum of Viking history. Runestones, weapons, and personal effects of the Vikings buried on the island are all on display. There are also models showing what archaeologists believe the city probably looked like during the time it was inhabited.



After the museum, we took a tour out to the part of the island where the city of Birka was in the 700s. The guide was very engaging and described both daily life for Vikings living in the city and the current status of the archaeological dig that is underway on the island. Anastasia had several questions for our guide, who seemed to like talking to her. We learned that when a Viking died, they were placed inside their boat along with many of their most valued possessions (including their comb and pets). The whole thing was then lit on fire and ultimately buried under rocks and soil, forming large mounds that remain today. After seeing the island, topped by a cross memorializing the monk who first introduced Christianity to the Vikings, it was time to head back toward the boat.



On the boat ride back, Anastasia had some one on one time with the guide and got a couple more details about Viking life. Meanwhile, the rest of us enjoyed a snack, and spotted a sunken boat on the way home.