Karlevistenen

Did you know that the Karlvisten is an imaginative rune stone from the Viking Age?

Karlevistenen is Öland's foremost rune stone and is also the only granite rune stone on Öland. Karlevistenen has also been named one of Sweden's strangest rune stones. The carving on one side is written in six-syllable royal verse and is the only preserved original poem in this form in Sweden.

The translation of this difficult-to-interpret verse reads: The tribe of the warriors Thrud, which is the greatest achievements followed - most knew it - is hidden in this pile. A more flawless battle-worthy Yndil's great field chariot Vidur shall not rule over the land of Denmark. The next inscription reads: Stone this was set after Sibbe the Wise, the son of Foldan, but his entourage set at the island....

The carving is believed to have been made sometime in the 10th century and has probably been erected by Danes on their way home after the battle of Fyrisvallarna some time before the year 1000.

From the parking lot at the rune stone, you can follow the Mörbylångaleden trail south, passing the rest area in Karlevi Mo on the way. If you turn off towards Beijershamn, you can enjoy the view from a bird tower.