Alsnö hus

About

Alsnö hus (Alsnö House) is the ruin of a palace at the Hovgården settlement archaeological site, located on the island of Adelsö (formerly called Alsnö) in Lake Mälaren in central-eastern Sweden. The ruins are part of the combined Birka and Hovgården UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History: The ruin is next to five burial mounds, up to 45 meters in diameter, which date back to the Vendel Period (i.e. Late Iron Age, c. 500-800 AD) when Hovgården was a King's Court (Kungsgård). The royal castle Alsnö hus reflects the importance of Birka, the trade settlement on Björkö island just south of Adelsö. However, Birka was abandoned around 975, but apparently the royal mansion continued to be of importance as the runestone U 11 (c. 1070 CE) was erected next to it.

Alsnö hus first appears in historical records in 1200 as mansionem regiam Alsnu, i.e. a house of more than ordinary proportions. However, 70 years later King Magnus Barnlock had the old fortress replaced by a summer residence built in brick. In contrast to the many fortifications built during the era, this building was a summer residence more adapted to offer comfort than defence and it regularly served both Magnus and his son...