Stenkvista is a settlement and former parish in the historical province of Södermanland. At its center, the settlement has the Stenkvista Church, which was once the center for the whole parish. The area is today a part of Eskilstuna Municipality and it is just a short distance to the south of the city of Eskilstuna.
A Short History of Stenkvista
Stenkvista Parish has its origins in the Middle Ages. Its first church is believed to have been built during the 11th century. The old church was replaced and moved a few hundred meters in 1794. The tower was not completed until in 1846.
This was the center of the parish until the Swedish municipal reform of 1862. The parish was then split between the local government of Stenkvista Municipality and the church congregation. The municipality was 1952 incorporated into Ärla Municipality, which in 1971 became a part of Eskilstuna Municipality. In regards to the congregation, it is since 2006 a part of Stenkvista-Ärla Congregation.
Things to Do and See
This is rural Sweden with the urban areas of Eskilstuna just a short distance to the north. The church is at the center here, being the most prominent building. But there is also a well-preserved runestone and of course the surrounding nature.
Stenkvista Church
The former parish church was built in 1794 and replaced an older church. This white brick and stone church was built in part with bricks taken from the ruins of Eskilstuna Castle. The church tower was completed first in 1846. The church is today a part of Stenkvista-Ärla Congregation within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
Stenkvista Runestone
The 2.2-meter-high runestone was earlier a part of the floor of the old parish church. It was put aside after the new church was built in 1794 and it would take a few decades before it was moved to its current location where visitors to the church can see it.
The runestone tells of Helge, Fröger, and Torgöt who raised the stone in memory of their father Tjudmund. The text is joined by a serpent as well as Thor’s hammer.
How to Get to Stenkvista
- Flights: Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) is 75 kilometers to the south.
- Car: Stenkvista is along Road 53 south of Eskilstuna.
- Bus: Buses from Sörmlandstrafiken connect Stenkvista with the surrounding region.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 115 kilometers (1 h 30 min)
- Gothenburg – 378 kilometers (4 h 28 min)
- Malmö – 564 kilometers (5 h 55 min)
- Linköping – 152 kilometers (1 h 54 min)
- Kiruna – 1280 kilometers (15 h 54 min)
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