Åkerby, or Åkerby By, is a small village in the historical province of Uppland. It is around 9 kilometers to the northwest of Uppsala. It was once the center of the local parish but is today a part of Uppsala Municipality in Uppsala County. In addition to a few runestones, the village is also home to around 50 inhabitants. Seven runestones have actually been found within the borders of the former parish.
A Short History of Åkerby
Åkerby Parish has its origins in the Middle Ages and its church is believed to have been built during the 12th or 13th century. The parish was in operation until the Swedish municipal reforms of 1862. This was when its operations were split between the local government of Åkerby Municipality and the church congregation. The municipality was in 1952 incorporated into Bälinge Municipality, which in turn became a part of Uppsala Municipality in 1971. The church congregation is since 2010 a part of Bälingebygden Congregation.
Things to Do and See
This is the countryside just a short drive from the city of Uppsala. The surrounding area consists of farmland and scattered farmsteads.
Åkerby Church
The parish church dates back to the Middle Ages and is the most prominent building in the area. It is a yellow stone church that got its current appearance during reconstruction in the early 19th century. The church was once the center of its own parish but is today a part of Bälingebygden Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
Runestone U1066, U1067 & U1068
There are three runestones next to the church. These are known as U1066, U1067, and U1068. Well, one is almost next to the church, the stone is a part of the church enclosure. All three stones are estimated to date back to the 11th century and the Viking Age.
How to Get to Åkerby
- Flights: Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is 50 kilometers to the southeast.
- Car: Åkerby is close to Road 272 to the northwest of Uppsala.
- Bus: Buses from UL connect Åkerby with the surrounding region.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 85 kilometers (56 min)
- Gothenburg – 459 kilometers (5 h 21 min)
- Malmö – 692 kilometers (7 h 22 min)
- Linköping – 280 kilometers (3 h 2 min)
- Kiruna – 1169 kilometers (13 h 54 min)
Find out more about other destinations in Sweden by visiting our page Exploring Sweden
