Sigtuna was founded on what was then the shore of Lake Mälaren just over 1,000 years ago. It took its name from an ancient royal estate (see
Uppsala öd) several kilometers to the west (see
Fornsigtuna). Various sources claim King
Eric the Victorious as founder while others claim King
Olof Skötkonung. It operated as a royal and commercial centre for some 250 years, and was one of the most important cities of Sweden. During a brief period at the end of the 10th and beginning of the 11th century, Sweden's first coins were minted here.
St. Mary's Church, built in the 13th century by the
Dominican order as a monastery church, still remains largely intact. The Dominican monastery played an important role in the Swedish Middle Ages and produced many important church officials, among them many
Swedish archbishops. Many church and monastery ruins still stand, including St. Pers Church (
S:t Pers kyrkoruin) dating the 1100s, St. Olof Church (
S:t Olofs kyrkoruin) dated from around the middle of the 11th century, and St. Lars Church (
S:t Lars kyrkoruin) dating from the middle of the 13th century. In 1187,
Sigtuna was attacked and pillaged by raiders from across the
Baltic Sea, possibly from
Curonia, or
Estonians from the island of
Saaremaa (
Oeselians), or
Karelians and
Novgorodians, == Tourist attractions ==