Anundshög is one of Sweden’s most magnificent heritage monument sites. Experience the remains of an important center of power and assembly during the Iron Age.
Anundshög is Sweden’s largest burial mound. The mound was built sometime between 500 and 1050 AD, and together with stone ships and other burial mounds nearby, it forms a magnificent monument. Almost all the stones at Anundshög were fallen as early as the 1600s. Four of the five stone ships were erected again during the 1930s.
Remains of the oldest thing house in Sweden
The area around Anundshög was used as an assembly point, thing, during the Middles Ages. The oldest thing letters are from the 1300s, but the thing tradition could trace back to the Iron Age. Archaeological investigations have confirmed that a small building used to be situated in the area in the early 14th century. The remains of such an old thing house is unique in Sweden.
The runestone monument and markings of an ancient road
Close to the burial mound, there is a runestone monument consisting of one high runestone and several standing stones in line with it, along what used to be an ancient road. The monument was erected in the 11th century by Folkvid, in memory of his son, Heden.
The runestone monument and the hollow road marks the path of an ancient road. The road carries on, down to the ford of a little stream east of the runestone. Back in time, an impressive row of poles was placed out along the route of the ancient road. The poles were visible from afar and were a magnificent entrance to the area. Several of the poles seem to have been erected during the 7th century. The row of poles marked the ancient road for several hundred years, perhaps all the way into the 13th century.
During the Middle Ages, newly elected kings traveled past Anundshög on their Eriksgata (the Eriksgata travel confirmed the king’s supremacy and legitimacy in the most important provinces of Sweden at the time). It may have been at Anundshög were the people of Västmanland gathered to confirm the election of the king.
Summer tours and activities at Anundshög
In the summer, daily guided tours with an archaeologist are offered at Anundshög. The free Iron Age Life experience, invites visitors to try handicrafts, runic writing and games from the era. Anundshög also offer group tours and lectures on request all year round. Café Anund offers coffee, sandwiches, cakes and light lunches.
Västerås Museums role in Västerås City Council
Västerås Museums are responsible for the art and cultural heritage of Västerås City Council. It’s the mission of Västerås Museums to preserve and develop ancient monuments, buildings, works of art, cultural-historical objects, and to increase people’s knowledge about it.
Västerås Museums also run and develop the museum activities at Vallby Open-Air Museum and Västerås Art Museum.
