Haithabu (Pendant in antiqued silver)

Old-Scandinavian icon, 33 x 37 mm, 925 old silver finish, two-faced design

Haithabu (Norse Heiðabýr from heiðr = heath and BYR = Hof; Danish Hedeby, latin Heidiba) was an important settlement of Danish Vikings. The place is considered the first medieval city in northern Europe and was an important trading center and main hub for trade between Scandinavia, Western Europe, the North Sea and the Baltic. Haithabu was on the Jutland Peninsula at the end of the Schlei in Schleswig's narrow (Isthmus) between the North Sea and Baltic Sea near the historic ox path (or Heerweg). The place was probably at that administrative unit Arens Harde. Today the area is part of Germany, and the terrain is part of the municipality Busdorf bei Schleswig in Schleswig-Flensburg district.