Two runic inscriptions are found in the Byzantine church of Hagia Sophia. They are believed to be carved by Vikings in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) during the 9th century AD, long before the Varangian Guard – an elite Viking unit of the Byzantine Army – was first formed under Emperor Basil II in 988 AD. Who were the Vikings leaving evidence of their visit?
http://thornews.com/2014/06/26/viking-graffiti-in-hagia-sophia-halvdan-carved-these-runes/
Most interesting.
I’ve seen a pic, it was in a long-ago National Geographic, in an article about the Varangians, back when NG was worth a ****. Thanks!