Sigtuna Attractions
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30km/20mi south of Uppsala, on Lake Skarven, is Sigtuna (pop. 30,000), one of the oldest towns in Sweden, founded by Olof Skötkonung in the 11th century. Over 300,000 tourists visit Sigtuna each year for the ruins, market and restaurants.
The first Swedish coins, with the inscription "Situne Dei", were struck here by coiners brought from England by Olof. The first episcopal see in the land of the Svea and in its early days a busy trading town, Sigtuna declined in importance when the bishop moved his residence to Uppsala in 1130. The town suffered a further setback in 1187 when it was attacked and set on fire by the Estonians.
The first Swedish coins, with the inscription "Situne Dei", were struck here by coiners brought from England by Olof. The first episcopal see in the land of the Svea and in its early days a busy trading town, Sigtuna declined in importance when the bishop moved his residence to Uppsala in 1130. The town suffered a further setback in 1187 when it was attacked and set on fire by the Estonians.