A Viking rune stone from the time of Yaroslav the Wise has appeared in Kyiv region

A copy of a unique rune stone that tells the story of a Viking who served in the army of Yaroslav the Wise more than a thousand years ago was unveiled in the village of Vytachiv in Kyiv Oblast. Learn more about this historic event and the place where you can see the stone with your own eyes

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A copy of the Alstad Rune Stone from Norway was unveiled in the village of Vytachiv in Kyiv Oblast. It is dedicated to the Viking Thorald, who died here in the XI century, during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise. An inscription preserved in ancient runes tells the story. The event was organized with the participation of the Ukrainian and Norwegian sides. The opening ceremony was attended by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Norway, who emphasized the importance of this event not only for history but also for modern cultural ties between the countries.

In our previous article, we talked about the peculiarities of a trip to winter Tustan.

The story of the rune stone and the Viking Thorald

The rune stone, a copy of which was installed in Vytachiv, reproduces a famous monument from Alstad, Norway. It was created in the XI century as a personal memorial. A father named Angley ordered an inscription to be carved in honor of his son Thorald, a young Viking warrior who died far from his homeland, on the territory of modern Ukraine, during the reign of Prince Yaroslav the Wise.

The inscription mentions the area of Vitaholm, which is how the Scandinavians called Vytachiv. This means that the settlement was well known in Northern Europe and was part of important routes of that time. The stone also mentions other geographical locations, which confirms active military and trade contacts between Rus and Scandinavia.

The text on the stone preserved not only the fact of the warrior's death but also the emotional component-the memory of a father about his son. That is why this artifact is considered not just a historical document, but one of the oldest personal testimonies to the presence of Vikings in the territory of Kyivan Rus.

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Why Vytachiv and where to see the monument?

In ancient times, Vytachiv was one of the key points on the trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks”. Merchants, warriors, and embassies passed through these lands, connecting Scandinavia with Kyivan Rus and Byzantium. That is why the mention of the settlement in the Norwegian rune inscription is not accidental; it confirms the important role of this area in international events of the eleventh century.

A copy of the rune stone was installed in the village of Vytachiv, Obukhiv district, Kyiv region. The attraction is accessible to visitors in the open air, on the high right bank of the Dnipro River. This place is known for its panoramic views and is considered one of the most picturesque in the region, so a trip here can easily be combined with a walk and learning about the history of the region.

If you want to see the rune stone in Vytachiv live and combine this location with other interesting places in Kyiv region, it is convenient to use ready-made tours from Visit Ukraine. The program already includes a route, transfer, and stops to see the panoramas of the Dnipro and historical sights of the region. It's an easy way to discover little-known pages of Ukrainian history without the hassle of organizing a trip.

We remind you! Bukovel in winter attracts visitors with its variety of slopes, high-quality infrastructure, and the special atmosphere of the Carpathians. Here, it is easy to combine peaceful skiing with exciting adrenaline-filled descents. We tell you about the ski season in Bukovel and how to choose a slope for your level here.

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