Top Historic Sights in Uppsala, Sweden
Explore the historic highlights of Uppsala
Uppland Museum
The Upplandsmuseet (Uppland Museum) is the county museum of Uppsala County. The institution is responsible for preservation and conducting research in the area of the cultural history and archaeology of the county, including the city of Uppsala (parts of the historical province of Uppland, from which the museum takes its name, belong to Stockholm County). The permanent exhibition covers subjects such as the history of the ...
Founded: 1957 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Gustavianum
Gustavianum is the former main building of Uppsala University, built 1622–1625 and named after King Gustavus Adolphus. Under the cupola is the theatrum anatomicum, the second oldest in the world added to the building in the mid 17th century by Olaus Rudbeck, professor of medicine and amateur architect, among other things. Although still used for lectures and conferences, most of Gustavianum functions as a museum, inclu ...
Founded: 1622-1625 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Uppsala Cathedral
Uppsala Cathedral is the largest and tallest cathedral and one of the most impressive religious buildings in Scandinavia. Originally built in the 13th century under Roman Catholicism and used for coronations of the Swedish monarch, since the Protestant Reformation, it has been controlled by the Lutheran Church of Sweden. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Uppsala, the primate of Sweden. The construction of the cathedral ...
Founded: 1287-1435 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Holy Trinity Church
Helga Trefaldighet (Holy Trinity) Church was inaugurated in 1302. It replaced the previous church of local Ullerås parish. The church is made of grey stone and brick and it was originally a three-nave basilica. The western tower was added in the 15th century. The church was damaged badly by fire in 1702. The interior is particularly notable. It is decorated with paintings by the famous medieval artist Albertus Pictor, w ...
Founded: 1302 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Uppsala University
The University Main Building was built in the 1880s. Parliament had allocated funding, and King Oscar II laid the cornerstone in pouring rain on a spring day in 1879. The site was formerly occupied by a large academic riding building, which was torn down for the new edifice. On May 17, 1887 the building was inaugurated at a festive ceremony. The architect was Herman Teodor Holmgren. What he created was a grand and statel ...
Founded: 1880's |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Uppsala Castle
Uppsala Castle is a 16th century royal castle in the historical city of Uppsala. Throughout much of its early history, the castle played a major role in the history of Sweden. It was built during the time Sweden was on its way to become a great power in Europe. King Gustav Vasa began construction of Uppsala Castle in 1549. Kings Erik XIV, John III and Charles IX all remodeled and expanded the citadel into a representativ ...
Founded: 1549 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Carolina Rediviva
Carolina Rediviva is the main building of the Uppsala University Library in Uppsala, Sweden. The building was begun in 1820 and completed in 1841. The original architect was Carl Fredrik Sundvall. Later additions to the building have been designed by Axel Johan Anderberg and Peter Celsing. The name, literally "Carolina Revived", was given in remembrance of the old Academia Carolina building, which had functioned as univer ...
Founded: 1820-1841 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Uppsala University Botanical Garden
The Uppsala University Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in Sweden. It was founded in 1655 by Olof Rudbeck the elder, professor of medicine. The garden was used for teaching students botany and pharmacy. By the end of the century, more than 1 800 species were grown in the garden, many of them for the first time in Sweden. Olof Rudbecks´ botanical garden was largely destroyed by a fire in 1702. The universit ...
Founded: 1655 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Linnaeus Hammarby
Linnaeus Hammarby is one of three botanical gardens belonging to Uppsala University in Sweden. It was the former summer home of Carolus Linnaeus and his family. Today, few Swedish manor-houses preserve such an authentic milieu. It reflects the private life of Linnaeus as well as his scientific work. In 1758 Linnaeus bought two small estates: Sävja and Hammarby. During their first summers at Hammarby the Linnaeuses lived ...
Founded: 1758 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Vänge Church
Vänge Church dates from the Middle Ages, and the oldest parts of the building date from the 13th century. It was successively expanded during the 14th and 15th centuries. The latest medieval additions - among them, the brick vaults inside the church - were probably funded by a local guild called the Guild of St. John the Baptist, that existed in Vänge at the time. The church however derives much of its present-day appea ...
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Bror Hjorths Hus
Bror Hjorths Hus, (Bror Hjorth's House) is a museum of the artist Bror Hjorth (1894-1968). The museum has a large collection of Hjorth's work. The house which was built in 1943 was for 25 years the home and studio of Bror Hjorth. It became a museum in 1978.
Founded: 1978 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Vaksala Church
The grey-stone church of Vaksala was built in the 12th century. Two chapels were added in the 15th century. The altar, biggest in the Uppland diocese, was made in Antwerpen around the year 1500. The pulpit was carved in 1795.
Founded: 12th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Wik Castle
Wik Castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Sweden. The first owner was Israel And in the end of 13th century. The current magnificent castle with seven floors was built in the late 15th century. The massive walls and moats made the stronghold impregnable. During the Middle Ages, the castle was one of the sturdiest strongholds in the Mälaren Valley, and Gustav Wasa once besieged Wik Castle for over a ...
Founded: ca. 1450 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Runestones U-970 & U-969 at Burial Ground
These two stones are only a few meters apart on the side of a small burial mound at the side of an burial ground. Much of the burial ground is now used as pature for a 4-H Club. U-970 Translation - 'Vide raised the stone after..(missing).. Öpir....' Additional Info - Öpir is the runemaster who carved the stone and is one of the most prolific runemasters in the area. Both this stone and U #969, just a ...
Founded: 11th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Faringe Church
Faringe Church was built in the around 1500 to the site of older church. The interior is decorated around 1515 by local artist. The sacristy was added in 1755. The external belfry was erected in 1668.
Founded: c. 1500 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Stones of Mora
Stones of Mora was the place where the Swedish kings were elected. The origin of the tradition is unknown, but it has been known since the 13th century and mentioned by Snorri Sturlason (died 1241). The first known document tells that Magnus Ladulås was elected at the Stones of Mora in 1275. Magnus IV was elected at the stones on July 8, 1319 and Kristian I in 1457. He was the last to be elected at the stones. The ...
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Funbo Church
The Funbo Church is a medieval stone church, built in the late 12th century. It consists of a rectangular nave, a narrow choir and an apse. The sacristy and the porch were added in the 15th century. The porch was used as the main entrance until 1745, when the current entrance in the western wall was built. The bell tower was erected in 1675. The church interior includes some notable items, such as a 13th century baptisma ...
Founded: 12th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Danmark Church
The first written record of church in Danmark locality date back to the year 1291. Close to the church are several stones with a Christian text and cross inscribed. The oldest parts of the present red-brick church are from the 1300s. In the late 1400s the church was enlarged to the appearance it has today. The church has been modified both internally and externally several times, among other things after the fires in 1699 ...
Founded: 14th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Björklinge Church
The church of Björklinge was built originally in the early 14th century. It was enlarged in the 15th century and the present appearance originates mainly from the restoration made in 1655. The church contains a triptych and a sandstone font made before the Reformation. There are five stained glass windows made in 1658. The current altarpiece was carved in 1714. The church has also a rare 18th century organ, which h ...
Founded: 14th century, restored 1658 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Skuttunge Church
Skuttunge Church was probably built in the early 14th century, but sacristy may be older. The interior is mainly from the 18th century.
Founded: c. 1300 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Rasbokil Church
Rasbokil Church is a medieval church located north-east of Uppsala. The church appears to have been preceded by an earlier church, possibly a wooden church, and stones from an earlier building have been incorporated into the presently visible building. The current church was built at the end of the 15th century or around 1500 and has retained its original appearance largely unchanged. During the 18th century most of the ...
Founded: c. 1500 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
King Skute's mound
King Skute's mound, dating from the Late Iron Age, 500-1100 AD, is the largest of a total of six mounds. The site consists of raised stones and intriguing so-called hollows. According to tradition, King Skute was the founder of the village of Skuttunge.
Founded: 500-1100 AD |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Åkerby Church
Åkerby Church was originally built in the 13-14th centuries and was expanded later in the Middle Ages. It was completely restored in 1801-1803 when it got its current appearance. The pulpit was acquired in 1674 and there are baptismal font from the 13th century and 15th century crucifix.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Uppsala-Näs Church
Uppsala-Näs Church sacristy was built in the late 13th century and the current stone church replaced a previous woooden building in the 15th century. The font dates from around 1200 and altar from mid-15th century. The German Madonna is from the 1430s.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Dalby Chuch
The oldest part of Dalby Chuch date from the 13th century and it was enlarged between 1250-1350. The vaults are decorated by Albertus Pictor school and some of them are restored. The baptismal font dates from the early 13th century and crusifix from the 14th century. The pulpit dates from 1659.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Vaksala Runestone
The Vaksala Runestone is one of the approximately forty runestones made by the runemaster Öpir, who signed this inscription and was active in the late 11th and early 12th century in Uppland. This runestone style is characterized by slim and stylized animals that are interwoven into tight patterns. The animal heads are typically seen in profile with slender almond-shaped eyes and upwardly curled appendages on the nose ...
Founded: 11th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Balingsta Church
Balingsta Church is one of the best preserved Romanesque churches in the province of Uppland. Not far from the church is the site of the Viking Era memorial Böksta Runestone (Bökstastenen). The oldest parts of Balingsta Church, the nave, choir and apse, date from the end of the 12th century. A few years later the tower was added to the church. The vestry was built in the 15th century, and during the same century th ...
Founded: 12th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Viksta Church
Viksta Church is a medieval church located north of Uppsala. Viksta Church was built circa 1280. An earlier, probably wooden roof and ceiling was replaced by the present roof supported by vaults sometime between 1430 and 1460. The frescos which decorate the vaults were painted in 1503. The church still largely retains its medieval appearance; the biggest change made after the Reformation was an enlargement of the windows ...
Founded: c. 1280 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Almunge Church
Almunge church was built in the 13th century and extended to the east in the 1660’s. The bell tower was added in the 16th century. Inside the church the most interesting artefacts are the imposing altar retable from 1717 and distinguished pulpit from 1716 made by Carl Spaak. Baptismal font of limestone was made in the 13th century and frescoes by Albertus Pictor in 1490s.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Tuna Church
Tuna Church is a medieval church located north-east of Uppsala. The church was probably built at the end of the 13th century, with the church porch and sacristy being later medieval extensions. The interior of the church was altered in the 15th century, when a vaulted ceiling replaced an earlier, wooden ceiling. The church was heavily renovated in the 1890s, when the medieval frescos were uncovered and insensitively resto ...
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Stavby Church
Stavby Church ( Stavby kyrka) is a medieval church located north-east of Uppsala. The construction probably started in the middle of the 13th century with the eastern parts of the present church. A western, more narrow, extension was built later during the Middle Ages, and the church porch dates from the end of the medieval period. Two lychgates were also built during the 15th century, one of which still remains. Inside, ...
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Rasbo Church
Rasbo Church is one of the largest rural churches in Uppland. It was probably built in the end of 13th century and enlarged later. The wooden crucifixes date from the 14th and 15th centuries and the altar from 1649. The frescoes were painted in 1453.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Skogs-Tibble Church
Skogs-Tibble Church was built of local granite stone in the 12th century and enlarged during the late 15th century. The baptismal font is original from around 1200. The altarpiece was added in 1725 and pulpit in 1737.
Founded: 12th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Läby Church
Läby Church is located on the main road between Uppsala and Sala, and is the rural church closest to Uppsala city. Although Läby Church certainly dates from the Middle Ages, its history is not known in any detail. Its origins may have been a Romanesque church, and according to some sources the oldest part of the church are from the 13th century. The church has furthermore been partially reconstructed and expanded at la ...
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Håga Mound
The Håga Mound (Hågahögen) or King Björn's Mound is one of the most magnificent remains from the Nordic Bronze Age. Håga mound is approximately 7 metres high and 45 metres across and it was constructed ca 1000 B.C. by the shore of a narrow inlet of the sea (the land has been continually rising since the Ice Age). It was constructed of turfs that had been laid on top of a cairn which was built o ...
Founded: ca. 1000 BC |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Tensta Church
The impressive church of Tensta is one of the oldest brick churches in Uppland. The oldest parts originate from the late 13th century. The sacristy and porch were built during the next century and arches between 1420-30. There are many fine medieval frescoes in the church. These are signed by the painter Johannes Rosenrod in 1437. They depict various religious themes including scenes from the life of St. Birgitta. The al ...
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Västeråker Church
Västeråker church is one of few medieval churches in Sweden, which age, builder and building donations are well-known. The curch was built in 1331 and donated by Lady Ramborg, chatelaine of the near Wik Castle. Fine lightweight arches of the church are well-preserved and made with high quality, because Lady Ramborg hired labour who had been building the Uppsala Cathedral. Most of the mural paintings date from ...
Founded: 1331 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Ärentuna Church
The grey-stone church of Ärentuna was built around the year 1300. It was probably inaugurated in 1302, when archbishop Nils Allesson visited in Ärentuna parish. The original barrel vault of wood was replaced by brick-made cross-vaults before the church's reopening in 1435. The well-preserved mural paintings, made by unknown “Ärentuna master” date also from 1440-1450s. The bell-tower was reconstructed in 1772.
Founded: ca. 1300 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Jumkil Church
The medieval church of Jumkil was originally built in the early 13th century. The vaulting was made in the 16th century and detached bell tower was added in the mid-18th century. There are wooden sculptures and triumphal crucifix from the 16th century. Baptismal font is from the 12th century, made of Gotland sandstone, with many carved motifs, such as the birth of Jesus and the adoration of the Three Wise Men. The medieva ...
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Bälinge Church
Bälinge Church is a medieval church in Bälinge, Uppsala Municipality. The church was built at the end of the 13th century and has been substantially altered on several occasions. It derives much of its present appearance from changes made during the 18th century and during a large reconstruction carried out in 1874-88. The church interior contains two sets of murals, one dating from the early 15th century and another m ...
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Börje Church
The Christian church at Börje was probably preceded by a Norse religious site, perhaps a spring or a grove. The main parts of presently visible church (nave, choir and sacristy) were probably erected between 1310 and 1360, and built by the local community. The main models for the new church were Uppsala Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Church, also in Uppsala. The church porch was added before the middle of the 15th centur ...
Founded: 1310-1360 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Järlåsa Church
Järlåsa Church has had at least two predecessors. The earliest one was a medieval stone church whose ruins still remains c. 500 metres north of the church. At some point it was replaced with a wooden church, which was however in such a bad shape in the 17th century that it was replaced with the presently visible, octagonal church and demolished in the early 18th century. The church may have been designed by Nicodemus T ...
Founded: 1672-1688 |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Åland Church
Åland Church is a medieval greystone church built inthe 1250-1350. The current appearance is mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries. The pulpit was carved in 1738 and font is medieval.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Uppsala, Sweden
Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings
Photo from Flickr, copyright Geraldine Curtis
Historic Site of the week
Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls
The Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls was part of the federal sanctuary of the three Gauls dedicated to the cult of Rome and Augustus celebrated by the 60 Gallic tribes when they gathered at Lugdunum (Lyon). The amphitheatre was built at the foot of the La Croix-Rousse hill at what was then the confluence of the Rhône and Saône.
Excavations have revealed a basement of three elliptical walls linked by cross-walls and a channel surrounding the oval central arena. The arena was slightly sloped, with the building"s south part supported by a now-vanished vault. The arena"s dimensions are 67,6m by 42m. This phase of the amphitheatre housed games which accompanied the imperial cult, with its low capacity (1,800 seats) being enough for delegations from the 60 Gallic tribes.
The amphitheatre was expanded at the start of the 2nd century. Two galleries were added around the old amphitheatre, raising its width from 25 metres to 105 metres and its capacity to about 20,000 seats. In so doing it made it a building open to the whole population of Lugdunum and its environs.