The Karlevi Stone

Öland · Sweden · Stone formation

A Danish viking crew buried their chieftain on Öland's shore and cut a skaldic poem over him – the oldest surviving in the North.

On the coast in Vickleby parish stands a runestone that does not belong on Öland. It was raised around the year 1000 by a Danish retinue over Sibbe the Wise, son of Foldar, a chieftain who probably died on a voyage and was buried right here, far from his own country. The inscription comes in two parts: a short memorial formula, then a complete stanza in dróttkvætt, the intricate skaldic metre – the oldest surviving skaldic verse in the North and the only one ever cut in stone. The verse calls the dead man a sea-king without equal and declares that no more righteous warrior shall rule land in Denmark. Beneath the stone, tradition says, lies the chieftain himself. Around it stretch flat Öland plain and open water, and the stone stands as alone as the crew that left it.

FAQ

Where is The Karlevi Stone located?

The Karlevi Stone is in Öland, Sweden.

More haunted places in Öland

• Källa Abandoned Church Öland · Church
• Long John Lighthouse, Öland's Southern Cape Öland · Lighthouse
• Ghost Hotel Gasten (Liseberg) Västra Götaland · Amusement park
• The Dog That Leapt into the Grave, Locknevi Småland · Cemetery
• The Evil One in the Smithy, Malmbäck Småland · Haunted site
• The Strange Herdsman with Hooves, Knäred Halland · Site of legend
• The Protective Circle at Gammelstad Church Norrbotten · Church
• Sven the Fiddler and the Promised Girl, Mulseryd Småland · Site of legend

Accounts are drawn from local folklore and visitor reports.