Stångebro at Nykvarn

The Royal Route probably crossed the Stångån river at Nykvarn. This is where the Stångån waterway met the most important land route through the region. The bridge at Nykvarn was ­mentioned for the first time in 1359, but the ford and the bridge over the river must have been used much earlier, possibly in the Bronze Age. In the area east of Old Stångebro, the grand­est ship tumulus in Östergötland and four rune-stones have been found, confirming the presumption that the main road and Royal Route passed by. The southern entrance into Linköping via Askeby and Vårdsberg had its ford at Tannefors near the South Toll gate. But sometimes the watercourse was so strong there, that it could not be crossed.

When the royal retinue had passed the Stångån river, it arrived at the Royal demesne of Stång, whose exact location is not known. The church of St. Lars, bears witness to early Christian worship in its crypt, and the vast 11th century cemetery which surrounds it. In the crypt there are also traces of the first (wooden) church in this ­location.
The area around Nykvarn has been populated at least since Neolithic times. Excavations in Kallerstad have revealed a great number of pre-Christian burials, and the important hundred court site – Lionga ting – which was a mandatory halting place for the kings must have been ­situated near the large ship tumulus.

After the significant meeting at the Lionga hundred court, the Royal Route continued to Skänninge.

 

After Askeby, the Royal Route continued to Vårdsberg and Linköping, entering the town at the Southern Toll gate (Tannefors) or Nykvarn.