Birka and Hovgården
Birka and Hovgården, situated on the islands of Björkö and Adelsö in Lake Mälaren, is one of the best examples of a Viking trading site.
Birka and Hovgården were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993.
The Justification of the World Heritage Committee
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.
Links
A traders village – more than 1 000 years ago.
Photo: Bengt A. Lundberg, National Heritage Board, 2004
Viking graves from Birka.
Photo: Bengt A. Lundberg, National Heritage Board, 1999