Carved into a stone, a serpent’s body loops decoratively. This is the Glia rune stone. It is also known as Uppland Runic Inscription 53. We’re standing at the intersection of Prästgatan and Kåkbrinken streets in Gamla Stan. The old town of Stockholm holds this ancient treasure.
This Glia rune stone is believed to be older than Stockholm itself. Historians estimate it dates back to the 11th century. It stands about half a meter tall, easily missed without a keen eye. There are no signs pointing out its significance.
The Glia rune stone tells a tale of family and remembrance. The inscription is fragmented, but it speaks volumes. It reads that Torsten and Frögunn had the stone erected after their son. Sadly, their son’s name is lost to time. Frögunn is a pagan name. This offers a clue to the text’s origin.
Imagine the hands that carved this stone nearly a millennium ago. The style suggests it was carved in Uppland, north of Stockholm. It is typical for stones carved during the later part of the 11th century. The Glia rune stone’s inscription is classified as runestone style Pr4. This is considered to be Urnes style. Slim animals intertwine tightly. Their heads are in profile. They feature almond-shaped eyes and upwardly curled appendages.
Interestingly, there is a cross-shaped engraving on the stone’s center-right. Experts believe it was added after completion. It possibly underlines a Christian message.
The Glia rune stone wasn’t always here. It was likely brought to Gamla Stan as construction material. These stones were too heavy to transport very far. They came from nearby Iron Age settlements.
Johannes Bureus documented parts of the Glia rune stone’s message in the 17th century. This is when the stone first appeared in historical records.
Laser range scans reveal interesting details about the carving. The ornaments were likely cut by a master and an apprentice. The master’s grooves are deep and regular. The apprentice’s are shallower with irregular strokes. The cross shape might have been added later. The mason tools made the cutting awkward then.
The Glia rune stone is one of three found in Stockholm’s old town. Another, U 274, is now in the Museum of Medieval Stockholm. A third, U 54, is lost. It was once in a church stairway.
So, as you stand here, consider the Glia rune stone’s journey. It’s a testament to a family’s love and a window into Viking-era beliefs. It connects us to a time long before Stockholm existed.