Plizio Visual Lab

Anundshög

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

monument

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Anundshög, located near Västerås, is Sweden's largest burial mound, standing nine meters high with a diameter of 64 meters. The entire site is a testament to the prehistoric centers of power in the Mälardalen region, serving for centuries as a vital assembly ground (thing) and a place for religious rituals. Besides the massive mound, the site features five impressive stone ship settings and a significant 11th-century rune stone. This rune stone was erected by a man named Folkvid in honor of his son Heden and mentions a King Anund, which gives the mound its name. The site's location along the 'Eriksgata,' the traditional route followed by newly elected Swedish kings, underscores its strategic and ceremonial importance. Archaeological evidence suggests the mound was constructed around 500-600 AD. Today, Anundshög is a protected cultural monument, offering visitors profound insights into the burial rites and social structures of the Vendel and Viking Ages.

Location: Sweden
Top sights: Anundshög · Tibble labyrinth · Labyrint
Nearby: Enköping (24 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-4	-4	0	6	11	16	18	17	13	6	2	-3
Rain mm	48	41	39	40	67	86	94	83	54	72	62	54

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Anundshög is a freely accessible archaeological outdoor site with a large burial mound and stone settings. It can be visited at any time without restrictions.

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Typical hours

As an open-air monument, it is accessible at any time with no fixed opening hours. A visit during daylight is recommended to see the details.

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Photography

Photographing the burial mounds and stone ships is free and encouraged. For wide-angle shots of the entire site, a position on the mound is recommended.

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Time needed

A walk around the site takes about 30 to 45 minutes. If you read the information boards and examine the stone settings closely, it can take up to an hour.

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Combine with

The site is located near Västerås, which features a Gothic cathedral and the Vallby Open Air Museum. Lake Mälaren is also not far.

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Getting there

Anundshög is accessible by car; there is a small parking lot right at the site. From Västerås, it is about a 10-minute drive via the E18 road.

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Insider tip

Visit the site in late afternoon when the sun bathes the stones in warm light. Bring a picnic as there are benches on site.

Geography

Coordinates

59.62970, 16.64470

Facts

The mound is 9 meters high and has a diameter of 64 meters.
There are five stone ship settings at the site, the longest being 53 meters.
The rune stone is the largest in the province of Västmanland.
The name Anund is linked to a semi-legendary king of the House of Yngling.
The site served as a 'thing' or judicial assembly place for the local population.
The mound is estimated to consist of over 30,000 cubic meters of earth and stones.