Sweden’s second oldest town after Birka was founded in 980 and soon became a centre of Christianity. Ruins of three of the original seven churches in medieval  Sigtuna, St Per, St Lars, and St Olof, still remain., the attractive main street, Stora Gatan, is lined with colourful wooden buildings and follows the original route. Still in use today is the thirteenth century church of St Maria, with its medieval paintings. It is oldest brick-built church in Malardalen.

Sigtuna has Sweden’s smallest town hall, built in 1744, and Lundstromska Garden, an early twentieth century home furnished in the style of the period. There are around 150 eleventh century rune stones in the surrounding region.

The area is also well-endowed with stately homes. These include Skokloster and the royal palace of Rosersberg, with some of Europe’s best-kept interiors from the period 1795-1825.