Hornbore Ting (Viking Market)
Hamburgsund

The association do everything from craft to theatre, battles and sailing. The association is located in Hamburgsund and loves to meet other people who are interested in history.

Each year they arrange the Viking market Hornbore Ting on the first weekend of August. In addition, the association also have activities for their members throughout the year.

How it started

The idea to make the districts history come alive came about after a visit to Visby in 1989. After this visit, the work started. The old thingstead by Hornborgs castle, Hoge castle, just south of Hamburgsund was the perfect place. The thingstead and “Slottsberget” are both important ancient monument areas in Hamburgsund.

Many interested people were gathered, local associations such as BUF, local history societies, Hamburgsunds community society, and Saltskärs Kärings Vänner. They started the association Hornbore Ting in 1993.

They founded study circles and a theatre group started to rehearse. The concept was theatres and markets to represent a specific time era. The work made progress during spring 1993 with connections to the county museum, the county custodian of antiquities, the municipality, and other administrative authorities as well as craftsmen and tradesmen.

At the end of July the theatre group rehearsed and built the stage and marketplace. The purpose was for all materials used by the actors, craftsmen and tradesmen to reflect the time era.

From the 6^th-8^th of August they had about 5000 visitors which was a great success. A few days later everything had been moved away and the materials had been put into storage.

Economically they made a profit, which made them decide to continue with the Viking market on a yearly basis and move the dates to the first weekend of August.

The market

The market is located by Hoge castle, just south of Hamburgsund. An incredibly beautiful place where the mountain rises next to the Hamburgsund channel and forms a natural fortification. The spot has had an important meaning throughout time, which you can learn by the old burial mounds. There are also signs that this specific place was used for real Viking gatherings over 1000 years ago.

The market attracts many shoppers and skilled craftsmen from all over Europe. There are activities for the entire family. The children can try out crafts such as fulling wool, creating your own rings, or creating a pendant. The musicians play music and teach games for the children who wants to participate.

Try out archery or axe throwing. Down by the water you will find Viking boats. Here, they will also use locally produced meat for BBQs cooked the way Vikings used to. They will also serve Hornbore hot dogs with buns that have been baked with flour that they grind there.

The entry fee covers all three days. In the entrance you can pay by card and all places also accept Swish.