Non Serviam

Travel need not be to far away targets. I never miss the chance each summer to go out to the archaeological excavation site and museum of Birka in the lake Mälaren.

Scenery from Mälaren.

The starting point is close enough for me - I live not far from Stadshuset - The Town Hall - in Stockholm, and it is from Stadshusbron the boat to Birka departs. The tour is operated by Strömma Kanalbolaget. Just board the boat, and pay the return ticket with cash or card!

The Birka boat trip.

The boat trip is in itself scenic and filled with history, which the tour guides will tell you about. There is plenty of time to read up on the facts, listen to the guides, have some snacks or dinner (on the way back), or just watch the unfolding waterway.

Towards Ekerö.

When the boat arrives at Birka, there are a number of tours to choose from, always headed by well informed archaeology students. From year to year I have watched digging sites be opened, new exhibits displayed at the museum, only to next year find that particular site closed and hardly a trace of the digging left from last year.

Grave field on Birka.

Wandering around on the island of Björkö, where Birka is (really was) situated, is really the greatest way to find recreation. Only, always remember to close all gates you pass - otherwise there will be sheep where they should not…

Gate on Birka.

Aside from the history and the scenery, there is also the small chapel of Ansgar, built in the 1930’s and beautifully decorated. Where the main body of the church would be, there is open air, so in a sense it is the largest church imaginable.

Ansgar Chapel.

The Ansgar Cross is practically the signature of Birka. It commemorates the efforts of the missionary Ansgar in the 830’s to christen the heathen north.

The Ansgar Cross.

Finally a lunch at the restaurant Särimner before boarding the return boat to Stockholm.