Uppsala is a historic university town in Sweden, founded in the 15th century. It is home to Sweden's oldest university, founded in 1477. The town developed on both sides of the Fyris River, with the university, cathedral and other historic buildings on the west side and the commercial areas on the east side. Uppsala Cathedral from the 15th century dominates the skyline and houses the tombs of King Gustav Vasa and botanist Carl Linnaeus. The university is organized into "Nations" representing Sweden's historic provinces.

1. Uppsala
A swedish University town
from the 15th century

2. Uppsala is the fourth largest city of Sweden, 80 km north of Stockholm,
20 minutes from Arlanda International Airport.
Population: over 150 000
Coordinates: 59°51 N, 17°38 E′ ′

3. Uppsala is one of the oldest and most prestigious University towns in Europe,
founded in 1477. The first settlement, known as Gamla Uppsala, dates back from pre-
Viking times, and was perhaps the main centre of pagan cult in Sweden.
As the norse Gods were decaying in popularity, a christian borg was founded
around 1164 at the port of Old Uppsala, and by 1274 Uppsala had grown larger
than its old predecessor. A large gothic cathedral was built in 1435, the great
Domkirke that still dominates the town. The University followed, in 1477.

4. Uppsala Cathedral, between the University (left) and the Fyrisån (Fyris river).

5. The town developped on both
banks of Fyris river, the central
and commercial areas on the east
side, the University, the Cathedral
and other historic buildings on the
west.

6. The civic centre:
Stora Torget (Main Square) and the Radhaus (townhall).

7. The Townhall dates from 1883.

8. Stora Torget was built in the 17th century, on
dried-up land from the Fyris river, after a royal
decision to replan the town according to a
square grid.

10. The railway station is close by. This is the main door for students and
tourists, coming from Stockholm or from Arlanda Airport.

11. In front, a statue called “Näckens polska” featuring a young
couple dancing among flowers, while Näcken plays his fiddle.

13. All through the year, the Railway Station’s bicycle park displays a peculiar
view – bikes are a must as in any European College town.

14. Svartbäcksgatan is the main shopping
street. There we find the English Bookshop.

15. http://www.bookshop.se

16. The small, old, not-square Gamla Torget is the true historic heart of
Uppsala, with the Fyristorg across the river. One of the favorite city
views, introducing the old town.

18. Several bridges take across the river: pedestrian bridges in iron and stone
bridges, like Dombron, Uppsala's oldest, built in 1760 and named for its
location near the cathedral.

19. Dombron marks the entrance to the cobblestone-floored
cultural district.

20. The stone pedestrian bridge Nybron spans across the Frysån from
Drottninggatan.

21. Nybron (New Bridge) dates to 1899.

22. From Stora Torget, the Västgötaspången is another of several
foot bridges into Uppsala's old town.
.

24. The bridge, often crowded in summer, joins the two banks of the Fyris,
Östra and Vastra, East and West.

25. A quiet evening in the often crowded Östra Ågatan.

26. The two walkways bordering Fyris river, Östra Ågatan - more scenic and
devoted to leisure or shopping - and Vastra Ågatan - more monumental -
are the first walk to have in Uppsala, offering a wide view of the town.

27. Östra Ågatan

28. The East walkway:
Lines of trees, small docks, benches and sidewalk cafés.

30. The old Pump House (Pump-huset), on the West side, seen from across
the river; it was the main water control installation.

31. This stairway down to the river in Östra Agatan is the best place to sit in a
warm sunny day, facing the Upplandsmuseet from the 1760s, now a city
museum.

32. Uppsala’s waterside resort.

33. Upplandsmuseet is a county museum, housed in the old Academy Mill.
It covers 5000 years of Uppland History.

34. Built at the 1760's, the Akademikvarnen was in operation until 1946.

35. Östra Agatan in Autumn colours.

37. And still later.

39. Uppsala Cathedral
(Domkirke)

40. This majestic structure of glowing red brick, crowned by three soaring
black spires, dates back to 1435, but the construction started in the
14th century .

41. The cathedral was built
in the Gothic style and
is one of the largest in
northern Europe.

42. By the end of the 19th century, Uppsala
cathedral was renovated in neo-Gothic
style and got its current glass-windows
and high pointed towers reaching over
118 metres.

43. Statues above the main door.

44. The Cathedral houses the
tombs of the 16th-century
Swedish king Gustav Vasa,
and of the famous 18th
cent.
botanist Carl Linnaeus.

52. Running along the nave walls, these paintings seem to tell a story.Running along the nave walls, these paintings seem to tell a story.

55. Uppsala Cathedral Choir was founded in 1867, it
is one of the oldest church choirs in Sweden.

56. The famous rose window, among the best in
Gothic churches. Crafted in limestone in the
13th century

61. The old town of Uppsala

62. Medieval to 19th century Uppsala:
10 - Gustavianum 12 - Fyristorg. 13 - Valvgatan / Dombron. 14- St Eriksgränd.
15 - Akademigatan. 16 - Upplands Museet. 18 - Oxenstierna. 25 - Nybron.

63. St. Larsgatan and St Erik’s water pump.

64. S:t Eriks Torg in an old print.

65. St. Eriks Torg
A picturesque spot
close to the Dombron

66. The source of St. Eriks was Uppsala's first water source from the
Middle Ages to about 1900. From the 1850s, residents took the
water from the cast iron pump.

68. Around the cathedral, a maze of
medieval alleys, most frequently
jammed with students on bikes.
For these are university grounds.

69. Narrow St. Eriksgränd

70. The Akademigatan leads to old Gustavianum, its cupola visible
over the roofs.

71. Oxenstierna house, from 1664, now the Law Department.

73. This is Valvgränd (Arch Lane),
in Valvgatan, a well-known
meeting point.

74. The Skytteanum is a private House for
the Professor in Eloquence and Political
Science at University of Uppsala, which
was established in 1622. The building
was once part of the medieval city wall.

79. Valvgatan is a
pedestrian-only
alley connecting
to St Eriksgränd.

80. St Eriksgränd , in the heart of Old Uppsala

81. On Trädgårdsgatan, behind the Cathedral, the old Regina Theater
is home to rock concerts and varieties.

82. http://www.reginateatern.se/

83. Uppsala University and the ‘Nations’
The university, founded in 1477, flourished during the rise of Sweden
as a great power at the end of the 16th century, and was then given
special protection under the rule of King Gustavus Adolphus, in the
early 17th century.

84. Motto: ‘gratiae veritas naturae’ (nature’s truth by Grace)

85. The majestic entrance Hall of the University’s main building.

87. The main Auditorium for
solemn sessions.

88. Carolina Rediviva, the main Library of Uppsala University.

89. The building was begun in 1820 and completed in 1841.
The name, meaning "Carolina Revived", intends to remember the
18th
century library, ‘Academia Carolina’.

90. The Library contains countless and
priceless treasures, mainly antique
manuscripts, books and maps.
‘Carta Marina’,
by Olaus Magnus
(detail)

92. The Library is one of the
finest University Libraries.

94. The final leaf of the
codex, fol. 336, was
discovered in 1970
in Speyer, Germany.
The leaf contains the
final verses of the
Gospel of Mark.
Known as "Silver Bible”, it’s a 6th-century
manuscript with a 4th
-century translation of
the Bible into old East Germany’s Gothic
language.
The complete work is on permanent display
at the Carolina Rediviva.
The Codex Argenteus,

97. The Copernicana collection
A collection of books that may have been owned or
used by Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543), though the
dating is controversial.

99. A Mozart’s original sketch for The Magic Flute is another
of Rediviva’s valuable treasures.

100. The Gustavianum
This was the former main building of
Uppsala University; the Gustavianum
was built in 1622 –1625.
The name Gustavianum comes from
swedish King Gustavus Adolphus,
who financed its construction.

101. The majestic cupola is a town landmark.

102. The Gustavianum is Uppsala University’s older building. Under the cupola is
the Theatrum Anatomicum, the second oldest in the world, from the mid 17th
century. Since 1997 the building became home for the Museum Gustavianum.

104. The Anatomical Theater
Used to teach anatomy in the first
modern universities, it consists of
a room in amphitheatrical shape,
around a central table on which
the bodies to dissect and study
took place.
This one in the Gustavianum has
an octogonal shape.

106. Museum Gustavianum.
A pair of telescopes from the 17th century.

107. Thermometer that belonged to
Celsius, and was used by Linné
As Sweden’s period as a great power ended during the early 18th century, the
political and cultural climate changed. The natural sciences developed at such
a pace that Uppsala became world-leading in several areas. This was the time
when great figures such as Karl Linnaeus or Anders Celsius worked and taught
at Uppsala University.

108. A magnificent Viking glass bowl,
from the 8th century.

109. Several Early Iron Age/Vendel artifacts from the site of Valsgärde are displayed in
the Museum Gustavianum

110. From Valsgärde
Valsgärde or Vallsgärde is a farm on the
Fyris river, about three kilometres north of
Gamla Uppsala,

111. One of two copper spheres from a sphere gap - gap between two copper spheres can
provide a measurement of voltage. The two spheres act as huge electrodes and were
used in high voltage research.
The spheres came from the Institute for High Voltage Research, established in 1932

114. The Nations
The student nations or nationer are old
student societies, with a history stretching
back to the 1630s.
Traditionally, students were required to be
members of the nations whose area they
came from, and international students free
to choose whichever nation they desire.
The nations are in charge of the kind of
social activities such as café, pub, clubs,
theatre, orchestras, sports societies, balls
and formal dinners - and also housing for
some.

115. The nations take the names from the Swedish provinces from
which they traditionally recruited their members; there are 13
nations in Uppsala University:
Stockholms
Uplands
Gästrike-Hälsinge
Östgöta
Västgöta
Södermanlands-Nerikes
Västmanlands-Dala
Smålands
Göteborgs
Kalmar
Värmlands
Norrlands
Gotlands
Some logos

116. Currently the nation admits around 5 000
students as members. Snerikes is a popular
nation for ERASMUS students.
Södermanlands-Nerikes
nation, usually called
Snerikes, claims to have
been founded back in
1595 as Södermanland
only; this nation merged
with the Nerikes in 1805.

117. Norrlands Nation claims to be largest nation, and has a powerful
18th
century building on Fyrisån, with halls and lounges that are
often used for celebrations.

118. The entrance Loggia.

119. It consists of two small buildings, one of which also houses the residences,
and the location by the river is perfect. Västgöta Nation, commonly known
as VG, was founded in 1639 and thus is one of Uppsala’s oldest nations.
Several of Nations buildings are old and architecturally interesting; one
of the favorites is Västgöta Nation.

120. With about 1200 members, Västgöta
Nation is one of the smaller nations at
Uppsala, but still has extensive cultural
activities, including choirs, a theatre
club and an orchestra.

123. And behind VG , the huge Uppsala Castle.

124. Uppsala castle
16th century

125. The castle was built by King Gustav Vasa in 1549, in a time
Sweden was on its way to become a great power in Europe.

126. As a royal castle, Uppsala
Slott has played a central
role in Swedish history.

129. Today, the large building is the site of the Uppsala Art Museum
(Konstmuseet). In its large halls are displayed paintings and other
remnants of the 16th century castle built by the Vasa dynasty.

130. Peasant Wedding in a Barn, by Pieter Breughel the Younger from a
private collection, in Uppsala Art Museum.

133. Gamla Uppsala was the
pre-Christian residence of
the Swedish kings of the
legendary Yngling dynasty.
It was also the location of
the ‘Thing’ of all Swedes,
a general assembly held
from norse times to the
Middle Ages
As early as the 3rd century
AD and the 4th century AD
and onwards, all through
the late Iron Age, it was an
important religious and
economic centre.

134. Several pre-Viking burial mounds, dated to the 5th and 6th centuries, show the
importance of this sacred site. Before Christianity arrived in Sweden, Gamla
Uppsala was the seat of Swedish kings and a ceremonial site known all over
northern Europe. The settlement was home to royal palaces, a royal burial
ground, and a great pagan temple.
Three of the burial mounds are known as the Royal Mounds (Kungshögarna).

135. Uppsala’s old cathedral was probably built in the 11th century, but finished
in the 12th century.

136. Gamla Uppsala was such an important site that the first Swedish cathedral
was built over the pagan temple.
Near the church is its splendid red, wooden bell tower.

137. The unique bell tower
(Klockstapel) is a very
elaborate adjoining
construction in wood,
designed to support the
church bells.

138. Read more:
http://www.germanicmythology.com/works/uppsalatemple.html

139. Ceiling painting, Gamla
Uppsala church

141. The15th century altarpiece,
probably manufactered in a
Stockholm workshop.

142. Uppsala in winter
Some images of the town under snow

143. Domtrappkallaren, café/restaurant famous among locals,
in Larsgatan.

144. St. Eriksgrand in the rain

145. Stora Torget

146. Frozen bicycles in Östra Agatan.

147. The iced Fyris by theThe iced Fyris by the Akademikvarnen museummuseum

148. The Dombron bridge under snow.

149. New Bridge in Yuletide season.

151. Jul (Yule) is intensely lived in Sweden, a tradition dating
back to pre-Christian era.

153. View from the Dombron to the Cathedral.n

156. Östra Agatan and the Västgöta Nation

157. The Old Pump House on the Fyris river.

162. A town with such a vibrant student life must offer equally vibrant café
tradition…
Cafés in Uppsala

163. The Café Linné Hörnan
is probably the oldest
and most prestigious
among students and
teachers.
The Linné is often used
as a meeting place for
various clubs or political
groups.

164. Named after Carl Von Linné – a Swedish
botanist and professor of medicine who
lived and worked in Uppsala – this classic
café features a quaint, cosy atmosphere.

165. Linné Hörnan is located in the corner of
Svartbäcksgatan with Linnégatan, close
to the Linné garden and museum.

166. It is a regular spot for students,
and famous for its cinamon buns
(Kanel Bulle).

167. Café Ofvandahls is a traditional café
with old roots and atmosphere.
Sometimes poetry contests and
other poetry readings can happen.

169. Café Fågelsången allows pleasant outdoor seating in summer,
with a view to the Castle.

170. The café has retained its
charm from 1954, when
the doors opened for the
first time. Freshly baked
pastries are a speciality.

171. Domtrappkallaren is in the old quarter, as you pass Dombron
to the Cathedral.

172. Installed in a 13th century armory at St. Eriks Grand,
the restaurant offers outdoor seating on the narrow
cobblestone lane, maybe the best spot in town for
people watching.

175. This presentation ©Mario Ricca, 2018
Main internet sources:
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