Birka and Hovgården

Birka on Björkö in the lake was the hub of the rich Mälardalen in the Viking Age. The shopping center was built in the 700′s and became an importantinternational port for visitors from near and far. On Adelsö, on the other side of the bay, lies Hovgarden where the king lived. Birka World Heritage Siteand Hovgarden contains unusually large number of remains of Viking Age.Since the late 1800s, archaeologists have examined the ancient remains ofBirka and Hovgarden. The rich finds from excavations tell of a society with a strong hierarchy and large differences between both class and gender. They had extensive trade contacts with the outside world and it shows in the finds.The land has been cultivated since long before Birka’s heyday and is still aliving landscape with grazing animals, lush green meadows and large burial ground. Across the water, on Adelsö, was a royal estate - Hovgarden. There lived the king when he arrived at the scene with his entourage. Birka andHovgarden owned by the state and managed by National Heritage Board. Itwas included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1993.National Heritage Board does not conduct any public activities in the World Heritage site from 1 April 2008. For information on players in the World Heritage Site - see also the section Contacts.