Attractions and Places To See around Knivsta - Top 20

Gustavianum is Uppsala University's traditional university museum and is located in one of the university's oldest preserved buildings, directly opposite the Cathedral. Built in the 17th century, the house houses collections on the history of the university and sciences, including archaeological and historical exhibits. Particularly exceptional is the 17th-century Anatomical Theatre, located under the building's distinctive dome, which was once used for public anatomical lectures and dissections. The museum thus offers an exciting insight into several centuries of science and university history and is one of Uppsala's most important cultural attractions.

The Baroque Garden of Uppsala (Uppsala Slottsträdgård) is located directly below the castle and today forms the historical core of the Uppsala University's Botanical Garden. Its strictly symmetrical design with straight axes, trimmed hedges, and geometric beds dates back to plans by architect Carl Hårleman from the 1750s. In 1787, Gustav III donated the castle garden to the university, which integrated it into its Botanical Garden; in 1974, the site was extensively restored according to Hårleman's original design and is now a listed monument.

The Gunilla Bell Tower (Gunillaklockan) stands on the Styrbiskop bastion in front of Uppsala Castle and is one of the city's distinctive landmarks. The bell was donated in 1588 by Queen Gunilla Bielke, the second wife of King John III, and was likely originally intended for the castle church. After the great city and castle fire of 1702, it was used as a watch bell; to this day, it traditionally rings over Uppsala every morning at 6 a.m. and every evening at 9 p.m.

The Sigtuna Town Hall (Sigtuna rådhus) is located on the central square Stora torget and is one of the city's most famous historical buildings. The small wooden town hall was built in 1744 and is particularly striking for its compact design and distinctive clock tower. Together with the surrounding wooden houses, it shapes the historical center of Sigtuna and is a particularly beautiful photo opportunity on a walk through Sweden's oldest city.

The anatomy hall is really worth seeing and is worth the visit alone.

The Gothic Uppsala Cathedral (Uppsala Domkyrka), consecrated in 1435, is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Uppsala, the parish church of the Uppsala Cathedral parish, and a national shrine of the Church of Sweden. It houses the relics of Sweden's national saint, Saint Erik, and a relic of Saint Bridget. The church is traditionally the coronation and burial church for Swedish kings and queens. Following a fire in the former cathedral (in Gamla Uppsala), the Pope granted permission in 1258 to move the bishopric to present-day Uppsala (then Östra Aros). The move to Domberget took place in 1273. Initially, the existing Saint Erik Chapel was used for services while French builders, under the direction of Etienne de Bonneuil, began constructing a new cathedral. The construction would continue for over a century and a half. The cathedral's towers are the tallest church towers in Scandinavia, reaching 118.7 meters. The most powerful of its five church bells, called Storan, weighs 7,360 kilograms, making it Sweden's largest church bell. The Church of Sweden estimates that around half a million people visit Uppsala Cathedral each year.

The Gunilla Bell, one of Uppsala's landmarks, was cast in 1588 and donated to the castle church by Queen Gunilla. It was recast in 1759. The inscription on the bell reads in Swedish: "Queen Gunnila had me cast in 1588. Under King Adolf Frederick, I was freed from my infirmity. In the year 1759." Since around 1700, the bell has been rung only once a day, at 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., a total of 151 times, to mark the beginning and end of the day. The ringing of the Gunilla Bell, along with the opening ceremony at the Carolina Rediviva, is a key event of the Walpurgis Night celebrations. At 9 p.m., the curator curatorum delivers the spring address to the students of Uppsala.

A unique feature of this building is the medical lecture hall, the "Anatomical Theater" (Theatrum anatomicum). The dome in the center of the building was constructed between 1662 and 1663. Medical professor Olof Rudbeck the Elder intended to perform dissections here before an audience of colleagues and students. The Anatomical Theater rises above the other roofs of the Gustavianum, allowing ample light to enter through its many windows. Its basic structure is modeled on the classical Greek amphitheater, but it is built at a significantly steeper angle and offers only standing room for spectators, enabling them to get as close as possible. The theater could accommodate 200 spectators. Rudbeck's lecture hall was long considered the most important theater of its kind in Europe. The hall still exists and is occasionally used for concerts, lectures, or other events.