12 Places That Were Once Ruled by the Vikings
The Vikings, seafaring warriors and traders from Scandinavia, left a profound mark on global history. Between the 8th and 11th centuries, their culture, raids, and settlements influenced numerous regions. The Vikings shaped societies in ways that still reverberate today through their exploration of North America and the establishment of key European strongholds.
The Viking Age (793 AD–1066 AD) was a globalized era of migration, with evidence of their impact stretching from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. Research from the National Museum of Denmark reveals that DNA tests identify genetic Viking legacy in modern populations across Europe. Likewise, many Viking-conquered areas still retain Norse cultural and linguistic traces, drawing history buffs to explore their influence. Read on for 12 key locations that showcase the Vikings’ expansive reach and influence.
Iceland
Iceland, colonized by Norwegian Vikings in the late 9th century, remains one of the most well-preserved legacies of Viking exploration. Settled around 870 AD by figures like Flóki Vilgerðarson, the island’s dramatic landscapes have long inspired the sagas chronicling Viking life. According to medieval chronicler Ari Thorgilsson, Iceland’s settlement records are among the most detailed accounts of Viking history.
Interestingly, Viking explorer Naddodd is credited with discovering Iceland after being blown off course. Over 1,200 years of Viking culture are documented in the Icelandic sagas, deeply intertwined with the island’s unique geography.
Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands, ruled as a Viking earldom starting in the 9th century, became one of the most significant Norse strongholds in the north. Claimed by Norwegian Vikings as the Earldom of Orkney, the islands offered a strategic base for both raids and trade.
To this day, the blend of Scottish and Norse culture is evident in Orkney’s traditions and architecture, including St. Magnus Cathedral, built by Norsemen in the 12th century. The islands remained under Norse rule until 1468 AD, leaving a rich cultural legacy.
Greenland
Greenland was founded by Erik the Red around 985 AD during the Medieval Warm Period, a rare climate window that made settlement possible. Despite the inhospitable conditions, Norse farmers established resilient communities that endured for nearly 500 years before disappearing due to climate cooling.
Erik the Red famously named Greenland to attract settlers, despite its harsh realities. The colony’s fascinating history remains a testament to Viking ingenuity and survival in extreme environments.
Shetland Islands
Pierced by Norse culture in the 9th century, the Shetland Islands served as a maritime hub for Viking sailors navigating the North Atlantic. Known for their safe harbors and strategic location, Shetland became closely tied to Norse traditions, reflected in its local place names, dialect, and archaeological sites.
Today, the islands celebrate their Viking heritage with events like Up Helly Aa, one of the UK’s largest Viking-themed fire festivals. Although fully integrated into Scotland in 1472 AD, Shetland retains its vibrant Norse identity.
Faroe Islands
Colonized by Norse explorers in the 9th century, the Faroe Islands became a key waypoint for Vikings traveling between Scandinavia, Iceland, and Scotland. The islands remain a legacy of Norse culture, with Faroese law, language, and traditions reflecting their Viking roots.
Remarkably, the Faroese parliament, the Logting, is considered the oldest parliamentary assembly in the world. Over 80% of place names in the Faroes trace back to Norse origins, highlighting the enduring influence of Viking settlers.
Dublin
Dublin, founded as a Viking settlement in 841 AD, grew into a bustling trading port during the Viking Age. Known as Dubh Linn, meaning “Black Pool,” the city became a center of wealth and power, connecting trade routes across Europe.
Today, Dublin’s Viking history is preserved in over 300 artifacts displayed at the National Museum of Ireland. Though the city remained a stronghold until the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 AD, its Viking roots are still evident in its cultural heritage.
York (Jorvik)
York, captured by Viking invaders in 866 AD, thrived as Jorvik, a prominent trading city and the capital of the Danelaw. Its economic significance rivaled major medieval cities like Constantinople, with goods flowing between Scandinavia, Byzantium, and the Abbasid caliphate.
Modern-day York celebrates its Viking past at the JORVIK Viking Centre, where visitors can explore archaeological recreations of the city’s Viking era. During its height, Jorvik was home to approximately 10,000 residents, making it a thriving hub of Viking commerce and culture.
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man transformed into a Viking kingdom in the 10th century and held a strategic position in the Irish Sea for raids and trade. The island’s Viking Tynwald assembly, which dates back to 979 AD, is still active today, making it one of the oldest continuous parliamentary traditions in the world.
The Norse legacy is also reflected in the Manx flag, featuring a triskelion symbol inspired by Viking art. Tynwald Day remains an annual celebration of the island’s independence and Viking heritage.
Normandy, France
Conquered by Vikings in 911 AD, Normandy has a fascinating history rooted in Norse influence. French King Charles the Simple granted the Viking leader Rollo the Walker a portion of land to stop future raids on Paris. This area became known as Normandy or the “Land of the Northmen.”
Under the Normans, the region thrived and played a pivotal role in shaping European history, particularly after 1066 AD. Fun fact: William the Conqueror, who became King of England, was a descendant of the Normandy Vikings.
Kiev, Ukraine
Beginning in 882 AD, Kiev was ruled by the Rurik Dynasty, owing much of its early development to Norse influences. Viking leaders known as the Rus established Kievan Rus, a federation that laid the foundation for modern-day Russia and Ukraine.
According to Britannica, the name “Kievan Rus” originates from Rurik, a Viking leader.. The Rurik Dynasty ruled this region for over 700 years, leaving a lasting impact on Eastern European history and development.
L’Anse aux Meadows, Canada
Around 1000 AD, L’Anse aux Meadows became home to Leif Erikson’s Viking settlement, making it the only confirmed Norse site in North America. Located in Newfoundland, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is evidence of Viking exploration of the New World long before Columbus.
Archeologists have uncovered iron nails and other artifacts proving Norse presence, and excavations suggest that fewer than 100 settlers lived at the site at its peak.
Danelaw, England
In the late 9th century, the Vikings established Danelaw, a region in England where Scandinavian law replaced Anglo-Saxon systems. Covering areas like modern-day Yorkshire and East Anglia, Danelaw significantly impacted British history.
The Five Boroughs of Danelaw—Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, and Stamford—served as Viking strongholds. Danelaw accounted for over 15% of England’s territory at its height, marking a lasting influence of Norse culture on the region.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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