Sigtuna

Sigtuna
Storagatan in Sigtuna
Sigtuna
Coordinates: 59°37′N 17°43′E / 59.617°N 17.717°E / 59.617; 17.717Coordinates: 59°37′N 17°43′E / 59.617°N 17.717°E / 59.617; 17.717
Country	Sweden
Province	Uppland
County	Stockholm County
Municipality	Sigtuna Municipality
Area [1]
- Total	3.95 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Population (2005-12-31)[1]
- Total	7,204
- Density	1,824/km2 (4,724.1/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)

Sigtuna is a locality situated in Sigtuna Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 7,204 inhabitants in 2005.^[1] It is the namesake of the municipality even though the seat is in Märsta.

Sigtuna is, despite its small population, for historical reasons often still referred to as a city. Statistics Sweden, however, only counts localities with more than 10,000 inhabitants as cities.

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.

Geography

Sigtuna is situated at the bay Skarven, stretching around Upplands-Bro and a part of Lake Mälaren.

History

Church ruins in Sigtuna

Sigtuna was founded on what was then the shore of Lake Mälaren just over 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. During a brief period at the end of the 10th and beginning of the 11th century, Sweden's first coins were minted here. 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 role 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 remodeled, as happened in many Swedish cities during the 1800s and 1900s.

Old City Hall

In 1187 Sigtuna was attacked by pagan raiders, perhaps from Estonia, Courland or Karelia. According to the archaeologist Sten Tesch, excavations have not verified the traditions of destruction of the town. Sigtuna grew and prospered, but around the year 1300 it was surpassed in significance by Stockholm and Uppsala, and remained as a small town.

Sigtuna as it looked around 1700. Engraving from Suecia antiqua et hodierna.

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. The coat of arms is since 1971 valid for the much larger Sigtuna Municipality.

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. Much of the population growth can be related to Arlanda Airport, situated some 10 km from Sigtuna.

Twin Cities

• Rakvere, Estonia

See also

• Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket, a famous boarding school.
• The replica of the Swedish city of Sigtuna in Shanghai, panoramio photos of the replica

References

• (Swedish) article Sigtuna from Nordisk familjebok

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sigtuna

• Sigtuna Municipality - Official site

Sigtuna is one of 133 places with the historical city status in Sweden.

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