Gustavianum, Uppsala, Sweden

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, including exhibitions of objects from the university collections of Classical, Egyptian and Nordic antiquities, as well as an exhibition on the history of science and the history of Uppsala University. The Augsburg art cabinet, the best preserved of the Kunstschränke made by Philipp Hainhofer, which was given to Gustavus Adolphus in 1632 by the City of Augsburg, is on display in the Gustavianum.

The Museum has an excellent science collection of very old telescopes of Celsius and other astronomers, the oldest achromatic telescope, a book with Copernicus notes on solar eclipses, an important Lineus exhibition and currently an exhibition of the oldest known astronomical instrument and computer, the Antikythera Mechanism.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Willy Bonka (2 months ago)
Pretty astonishing that there's such a diverse and interesting collection I've never heard of in the pretty small town of Uppsala. Incredible pieces (especially the huge jewellery/gadget/all-in-one box). The old medical show room in the dome is also pretty cool. It's not the largest museum but I think it's a great size, not too overwhelming.

Alexis Gillett (2 months ago)
Quirky museum where each room is like its own mini-museum. The building itself is also an attraction with the 'hat' housing an anatomical theatre.

Ananda Hall (4 months ago)
Fantastic museum, highly recommended. Excellent presentation (information signs are in both English and Swedish). I was expecting it to be 'small' based on previous reviews, but it wasn't: I could have easily spent 2 hours or more. They have a great variety of rooms/exhibits, from Egyptian (don't miss the mummified cats!) to Viking to ancient coins to art, and of course the amazing anatomy theatre. Suitable for kids (10yo was fascinated with the Egyptian exhibit) as well as adults.

Emi G (8 months ago)
Small but VERY NICE history museum of the Uppsala university.

Goran A. (4 years ago)
The oldest building in Uppsala, with a very unique exterior.

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Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

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