Upsala Sweden

Upsala, Sweden

Summary: What will you see if you go to this university town in Sweden - Upsala.

upsala,sweden,europe

Article Body: One of the Sweden`s oldest settlements, Upsala, on the banks of the Fyrisan river, is also a lively university town. On the last day of April crowds of students wearing caps parade through the town for the traditional spring season celebrations.

Dominating the town`s attractive medieval centre is the Domkyrkan, Scandinavia`s largest Gothic cathedral. Its vaults, which date from , contain the relics of Sweden`s patron saint, Saint Erik. The onion-domed Gustavianum, opposite the cathedral, dates from the s and houses the Upsala University Museum. Among the museum`s many exhibits are a th-century anatomical theatre and Egyptian, Classical, and Nordic antiquities. Just a short walk away stands the Carolina Rediviva, the impressive university library.

Upsala Slott, the town`s hilltop fortress, was built in the th century by King Gustav Vasa, although it was later destroyed by fire. Now restored, it also houses the Upsala Art Museum.

A short bus ride north of the town center, Gamla Upsala is the site of the Kungshogarna, royal burial mounds believed to date from the th century. The Historiskt Centrum acquaints visitors with the history, legends, and lore surrounding the burial mounds and contains displays of local archeological finds.