Carved in stone, a tale from the Viking Age awaits. This is Upplands runinskrifter 30. It stands in a wooded enclosure in Kvarsta near Hilleshög. This rune stone offers a tangible link to Sweden’s past.
Upplands runinskrifter 30 is made of gneiss. It towers 2.55 meters high. Its width measures 1.55 meters. The runes themselves are 10 centimeters tall. Imagine the hands that carved these symbols so long ago.
Locals whisper a legend about this stone. Two giantesses named Hilla and Färna planned to build churches. Hilla finished first. Färna grew angry. She hurled the Kvarsta stone towards Hilla’s church. It landed here instead. This is according to Erik Brate.
The inscription tells a story of family and remembrance. Steinulfr had this stone raised. It honors Sigfast his father. Holmgärd is also remembered, his partner. The inscription ends with a prayer. “May God help his soul.”
The original runic text reads: stainulfr lit raisa stain þ(a)–a ebtiR sikfast faþeur sin auk hulmkirþr at bunta sin kuþ —-b- sal hans. This translates to modern Swedish as: Stenulv lät resa denna sten efter Sigfast sin fader och Holmgärd efter sin make. Gud hjälpe hans själ.
Upplands runinskrifter 30 is a protected historical site. Its official designation is Hilleshög 24:1. It is a testament to Viking Age traditions. The stone connects us to ancestors. They lived and died in this very region.
The rune stone offers insight into Viking social structures. Family bonds were important. Memorials like this one kept memories alive. Upplands runinskrifter 30 speaks of love. It speaks of loss. It speaks of faith. It echoes through the centuries.
So stand here for a moment longer. Consider the story etched in stone. Upplands runinskrifter 30 is more than just a marker. It is a legacy.