Fällbro Runestone (Uppland Runic Inscription Fv1946;258) – Täby Kyrkby, Sweden - Atlas Obscura

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Fällbro Runestone (Uppland Runic Inscription Fv1946;258)

This Viking Age memorial contains the oldest known image of a Täby resident. 

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Sweden is full of runestones, most of which are used as memorials to lost family members, (such as Uppland Runic Inscription 53 in Stockholm), descriptions of historical events (such as Sigurdsristningen in Eskilstuna). Often these come with decorations, often in the form of dragons, and in rare instances, a person is depicted. 

The runestone, officially known as Uppland Runic Inscription Fv1946;258, is one such rune stone that dates back to the 11th century. This inscription and is carved on a rock-face of a cliff and was discovered in 1946. It is located on an Iron Age burial field and was carved by runemaster Visäte. The main feature of the stone is written inside of a dragon with spindly decorations and legs. On top of the snake stands a man who resembles a modern-day hitchhiker, but is thought to be performing some kind of spell. This man is considered the oldest image of a Täby resident, and his depiction is used for many touristic signs in the area. 

According to the writing on the runestone, the memorial was created by three sons in memory of their father. Translated from Old Norse, the inscription on the stone roughly reads: “Vig and Otrygg and Balle had the memorial erected after their father Rodger.” 

Know Before You Go

These days the stone is a bit harder to find, as the government has decided to no longer highlight the carvings with paint. This makes it a lot harder to see without proper lighting.


Please do not in any way damage or affect the stone, this is illegal and even well-intentioned tracing can damage the original carving. 

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