Even for the initiated, it can sometimes be difficult to find one of Sweden's approximately 2,000 runestones. Thanks to the Runestone app, it will be easier to find them.
The new app "Swedish runestones", developed at Stockholm University, shows the way to 1,300 different runestones in the country. In addition to the exact location, the runestones have been given a rating between one and five, where five means that the runestone is a good and easily accessible tourist destination and a one means that the runestone cannot be distinguished from a common stone.
"It's difficult to find runestones, even if you're extremely interested. Many stones have been moved and do not stand on their original sites," says run researcher Sofia Pereswetoff-Morath at Stockholm University, to forskning.se.
Other stones may have been moved and have completely disappeared.
The app also has updated information about the runestones.
"Runestones usually have information boards, but many stones lack a board, have outdated information or the board has been destroyed by weather and wind," says Sofia Pereswetoff-Morath.
Currently, all runestones in Gästrikland, Medelpad, Hälsingland, Uppland, Södermanland, Västmanland, Värmland, and Närke are in the app. In the autumn of 2024, runestones in Götaland will also be added.
