uppsala, a 15th century university town in the north

UppsalaA swedish University townfrom the 15th century

Uppsala is the fourth largest city of Sweden, 80 km north of Stockholm, 20 minutes from Arlanda International Airport.

Population: ~ 150 000Coordinates: 59°51 N, 17°38 E′ ′

Uppsala is one of the oldest and most prestigious University towns in Europe. 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 scandinavian gods were decaying in popularity, a rival christian borg was founded around 1164 at the port of Old Uppsala, and by 1274 (new) Uppsala had grown larger than its old predecessor. A large gothic cathedral was built in 1435, the magnificent Domkirke that still dominates the town. The University followed, founded in 1477.

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

The town developped on both banks of Fyris river, the central and comercial areas on the east side, the University and the cultural centers on the west.

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

The Townhall dates from 1883.

Stora Torget was built in the 17th century, on a dried bay of the Fyris river, after a royal decision to replan the town according to a square grid.

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

All through the year, the Railway Station’s bycicle park displays a peculiar view – this is really a popular european university town.

Close to the main square is the smaller, older, not-square Gamla Torget, and the Fyristorg across the river. One of the favorite views, introducing the old town.

Several bridges take across the river: pedestrian bridges in iron and stone bridges, like Dombron, Uppsala's oldest.It was built in 1760 , and the name refers to its location near the cathedral.

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

From Stora Torget, the Västgötaspången is one of several foot bridges crossing the river into Uppsala's old town.

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

A quiet evening in the often crowded Östra Ågatan.

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 panoramic view of the town.

Östra Ågatan

The East walkway:Lines of Trees, small docks, benches and café terraces.

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

This stairway down to the river in Östra Agatan is the best place to sit in a warm sunny day.

Uppsala’s waterside resort.

Upplandsmuseet, a cultural and historic county museum, housed in the old Academy Mill from the 1760s.

Östra Agatan in Autumn colours.

And still later.

Uppsala Cathedral(Domkirke)

This majestic structure of glowing red brick, crowned by three soaring black spires, dates back to 1435 .

The cathedral is built in the Gothic style and is one of the largest in northern Europe, with towers reaching over 118 metres.

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

The old town of Uppsala

Around the cathedral, a maze of medieval alleys, most frequently jammed with students on bycicles.

For these are university grounds.

St. Erik’s torg

A picturesque spot close to the Dombron

S:t Erik’s Torg in an old print.

The Cupola of the old Gustavianum is visible over the roofs.

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

Valvgatan is a pedestrian-only alley on the West side of Uppsala.

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.

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. For centuries it ranks among the best in Europe.

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

Carolina Rediviva, the main Library of Uppsala University.

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

The Codex Argenteus, known as "Silver Bible”, is 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 library in Uppsala. It is the most precious book in Sweden.

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.

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.

The majestic cupola is a town landmark.

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.

TheAnatomical Theater

Used to teach anatomy in the first modern universities, it consists of a room of roughly 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.

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

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.

The nations take the names from the Swedish provinces from which they traditionally recruited their members; there are 13 nations in Uppsala University:

StockholmsUplands Gästrike-HälsingeÖstgötaVästgötaSödermanlands-NerikesVästmanlands-DalaSmålandsGöteborgsKalmarVärmlandsNorrlandsGotlands

Some logos

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

The entrance Loggia.

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 , ‘VG’.

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.

And behind VG , the huge Uppsala Castle.

Uppsala castle16th century

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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).

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

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

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

The15th century altarpiece, probably manufactered in a Stockholm workshop.

Uppsala in winterSome images of the town under snow

Stora Torget

Frozen bycicles in Östra Agatan.

The Dombron bridge

View from the Dombron to the Cathedral.n

Östra Agatan and the Västgöta Nation

The Old Pump House on the Fyris river.

Cafés in Uppsala

A town with such a vibrant student life must offer equally vibrant café life…

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.

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.

Linné Hörnan is located in a corner of Svartbäcksgatan , the main commercial street.

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

Café Fågelsången allows sitting outdoors in the summer.

The End

This presentation ©Mario Ricca, 2014

Main internet sources: http://www.panoramio.com/http://www.flickr.com/http://www.trekearth.comhttp://www.pbase.com