In central Uppland, in the historical folkland Tiundaland, is the small village of Ärentuna. The village is today a part of Uppsala Municipality and consists of the former parish church and the surrounding settlement. This is an area rich in runestones and other ancient remains.
A Short History of Ärentuna
Ärentuna was first mentioned in writing back in the early 14th century. The village was the center for Ärentuna Parish, with the parish church in the village. The parish has its origins in the Middle Ages and the church was inaugurated in the 14th century. It is believed that the inauguration took place as early as 1302.
Farming has been the most important occupation over the centuries. Fields and farms still surround Ärentuna today. Instead, it is the locality of Storvreta that lies within the former parish, which has developed into a more urban area.
The parish was in 1862 replaced by Ärentuna Municipality for the civil management and Ärentuna Congregation for the church. The area was 1951 became a part of Uppsala Municipality.
Things to Do and See
Most visitors who want to explore Ärentuna will most likely start in and around the church. It is here that you can find the most historical sights and have the chance to prepare yourself to later enjoy the surrounding nature.
Ärentuna Church
The 14th-century church has probably seen more of the area’s history than any other building that is still standing. The church has been reconstructed several times over the centuries, the most recent major changes should have been done at the end of the 18th century.
In addition to the church, there is also a freestanding clock tower directly outside of the church’s enclosure.
Runestones
In case you visit the area, you should definitely not miss the runestones. There are two runestones standing directly next to the church. Their names are U 1014 and U 1015. They might not be complete, but they are still impressive and tell a story from the far-away past. One tells of Holmger, who raised the stone in memory of his sons Igulfast and Svarthövde.
How to Get to Ärentuna
- Flights: The closest airport is Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN), 47 kilometers away with both domestic and international flights.
- Car: Ärentuna is along country roads north of Uppsala.
- Bus: Local and regional UL buses connect the area with the surrounding region.
- Train: There is a train station in Uppsala.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 84 kilometers (1 h 2 min)
- Gothenburg – 474 kilometers (5 h 44 min)
- Malmö – 696 kilometers (7 h 21 min)
- Linköping – 283 kilometers (3 h 8 min)
- Kiruna – 1158 kilometers (13 h 29 min)
Find out more about other destinations in Sweden by visiting our page Exploring Sweden
