Sigtuna
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sigtuna is a city in central Sweden in the metropolitan area of Stockholm. It has a population of 7,000 and is the namsesake of Sigtuna Municipality, even though the seat, Märsta, has 23,000 inhabitants.
Although less significant today, Sigtuna has an important place in Sweden's early history. The history of Sigtuna before the 11th century, as described in the Norse sagas and other early medieval sources, can be found in the article Old Sigtuna.
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[edit] Geography
Sigtuna is situated at the bay Skarven, stretching around Upplands-Bro and a part of Lake Mälaren.
[edit] History
Sigtuna was founded on what was then the shore of Lake Mälaren about 1,000 years ago. It took its name from an ancient royal estate (see Uppsala öd) several kilometers to the west (see Fornsigtuna). Various sources claim King Eric the Victorious as founder while others claim King Olof Skötkonung.
It operated as a royal and commercial centre for some 250 years, and was one of the most important cities of Sweden. The old church built in the 13th century by the Dominican order at the monastery still remains, and has had few restorations. The Dominican monastery played an important roll in the Swedish Middle Ages and produced many important Church officials. Among them, many Swedish archbishops. Many church and monastery ruins still stand, and the old city structure has not been remodelled, as happened in many Swedish cities during the 1800's and 1900's.
In 1187 Sigtuna was attacked by Baltic-Finnish raiders from Karelia, Couronia or Estonia. Among the casualties of this raid was the Swedish archbishop Johannes. It remained occupied for some time. This contributed to the diminishing of its commercial importance in the 13th century, in favor of Uppsala, Visby, Kalmar and Stockholm. [1]
The current coat of arms can be traced to the city's first known seal, dating from 1311. According to a legend (possibly inspired by the city arms) Sigtuna was once the Royal seat, but this can not be confirmed. The crown may also symbolize the large royal mint which was located in the city.
In the late 19th century, it still only hosted about 600 people, and was the smallest city in Sweden. The city remained insignificant until the second half of the 20th century.
[edit] Industry
In Sigtuna municipality lies the largest workplace in Sweden, Arlanda International Airport, with 13,000 employees in 200 companies. As a result, 18,300,000 visitors travel through Sigtuna annually, and the area has the fourth highest number of hotel stays in Sweden, after Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
[edit] See also
- Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket, a famous boarding school.
[edit] References
- (Swedish) article Sigtuna from Nordisk familjebok
[edit] Notes
- Raid on Sigtuna (1187)
[edit] External links
- Sigtuna Municipality - Official site
Sigtuna is one of 134 towns with the historical City status in Sweden.| Trade emporia of the Viking Age |
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| Dorestad • Kaupang • Lindholm • Hedeby • Ribe • Birka • Sigtuna • Köpingsvik Reric • Arkona • Menzlin • Ralswiek • Wolin • Truso • Kaup • Grobin Vanaja • Aldeigja • Alaborg • Hólmgard • Gnezdovo • Sarskoe • Timerevo |
