Rák

Rök is a locality and parish in Östergötland County, Sweden, administratively part of Ödeshög Municipality. It lies in the central part of the country and is best known for its historical associations with the Viking Age.

The village is the site of the Rök Runestone (Rökstenen), one of the most famous and studied runestones in the world. Located in the churchyard of Rök Church, the stone dates to the early 9th century and is inscribed in Old Norse using the Younger Futhark. The inscription's length and complexity have made it a focal point for philologists and historians, contributing to debates about early Norse language, myth, and memory. Because of its age and detail, the Rök Runestone is often cited as a key source for understanding the transition from oral tradition to runic writing in the Viking Age.

Rök Church, a medieval structure, stands near the runestone and represents the historical footprint of the area. The surrounding countryside is rural, with forests and fields typical of central Östergötland. Today, Rök is a small community that highlights the intersection of heritage and landscape, attracting visitors interested in early medieval Scandinavia and runic inscriptions.