Going to Uppsala in... and other Uppsala, Sweden Off The Beaten Path Tips

Going to Uppsala in September...? Do not miss the 'Cultural Night', when the whole town buzzes with activity during 24 hours. There is always amateurs' poetry night at the above-mentioned Ofvandahls Café, and a lot of lectures, exhibitions, concerts, performances etc all around town, many of whom are free of charge. Ask at the tourist office for more info!

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Hågahögen - a tomb from the Bronze Ages.
A powerful old Cult-place, the powerlines are abundant here. Take bus nr. 51 to the end stop and you will see the green hill. Still today, sects gather here for various rituals.

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Do you like flea markets?

During the summer season there's a flea market every saturday at Vaksala Torg (Vaksala Square). You will reach it by taking the road Vaksalagatan to the north east from the Stora Torget.

Go sometime around 11 am. The real catches are made as early as 06 am however...
And don't forget to bargain!

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In summer you can take a trip into the surrounding countryside with the genuine steam-engine train 'Lennakatten'. I once had a web-adress to the Lenna-katten homepage, but it was lost in the relaunch and I don't remember where I got it, so ask at the tourist office, okay?

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Carolina Rediviva Library stands on top of the Carolina hill (Carolinabacken), the hill next to the one where the Castle stands.

The library building was built in the early 1800's, and the library is Sweden's oldest university library. It was founded in 1620!

Every published book or paper in Sweden finds its way into the Carolina archives, and it is supposed to have some 5 million books on the shelfs. Where the rest of it goes, I don't know, I think a vault or something.

The major part of the library is exclusively for the students of the Uppsala university, but just to the right as you enter the building, there is an exhibition room of old books and manuscripts, worth making a visit to. Among the publications you can find the famous Silver Bible, which is from the 6th century. Some years ago it was stolen though, and later returned, so it may be just a copy on display these days, for security reasons.

To the left inside the building is a student café. Nothing fancy, but really cheap (or it was some years ago), if you want a quick cup of coffee.

If you wish to enter the interior, you must try to look like a student. If you feel overaged, don't worry, researchers well into their seventies go here too, so just act natural okay?! Put your coats and bags into one of the lockers located on the right, a bit further in than the exhibition room. Then enter the door with the sign "Students and researchers only". Now you are in, and you can have a look at all the books and the students cramming for their exams. Keep your voice down. And don't take pictures, remember, you are NOT a tourist...!

Carolina Rediviva is the center of everyone's attention each April 30th. A exactly 3 pm, the current principal of the university waves his white graduation hat from the library balcony, and the thousands upon thousands of people having gathered on the streets below lift their hats too, and wave right back. Weird? No, it is a tradition!

To see a Swedish graduation hat, see my travelogue on my Sweden page called "lite bilder".

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While you are up on the hills of Uppsala checking out the Castle and the University library, you might as well have a look at the botanical garden as well. It is right behind the castle. Looking down from the castleyard you will surely see the rowns of neatsly cropped cone-shaped pine trees. the botancical garden is a peaceful place, but Uppsala isnt really such a roaming place to start with, so it's not like you will SO NEED THE BREAK. but anyway, a garden is always nice, isn't it? and there is a cacti room and some other cool stuff as well as the cutest little café right in the garden. But ask your way, beacuse you will have to get far into the garden and cross a street before you find it.
Among my favourites in the garden are; the pond and the cool plant called "Stor Fetknopp" or "Big Fatty". :=)

I'll add pics as soon as someone gives me a scanner...!

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So, having visited the botanical garden, not you have developed a craze for green places, right? Ok, then go and visit Linnéträdgården, Linné's garden.

you know Linné right? He was the one who started classiying plants into families, and responsible for tha latin names of plants some books and botanists torment us with.

He was from Uppsala, one of the really famous people of this town, and his garden is on Linnégatan. Follow the pedestian street freom Stora Torget and cross the road St olofsgatan just by the city library.

Two blocks down is his garden. and if you WANT EVEN MORE COFFEE, then yes there is a café here too...!

Hmm, and along the way, you pass the café of Hugo's, which is listed in my restaurant tips. Following my advice, you will definitely have drunk too much coffee on your visit to Uppsala!!!

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Many VT:ers have written to me before they go to Uppsala for an exchange university program. So here is some info that could be useful:

Most foreign students end up in the student campus area called Flogsta, some 40 minutes walk from central town.

Here is a photo of this area, which isn't perhaps that pretty.

The buildings are seven(8?) storeys high, with corridors. Each corridor has about 15 rooms and a shared kitchen.
I have had the opportunity of visiting 5 or so of the corridors during my years in Uppsala, and they are ok, but not too much fun.

You have access to the roof of your building, for barbeques, sunbathing etc. But don't fall down!
See also next tip and photo.

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Continuing from last tip:
Flogsta is the biggest student area in Uppsala and some 2 000 students live here. The rooms are small, with some furniture, and a private toilet and shower.
Walking downtown takes some 40 minutes, biking (bicycle lanes run all the way into town) takes about 10 minutes.

There is a big supermarket with comparatively low prices at the end of the student area called "Ica Väst", and public transportation into town is quite good.
It might feel a bit "off" but it is close to nature and nice walking areas.
Enjoy your stay in Uppsala!

In the photo: Flogsta from a distance. The student houses can be seen from afar...!

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Everyone in Uppsaala goes out in the streets on April 30th for the grand festival. At three o clock you bring your white (or brown) graduation hat and gather in fron of library Carolina Redivia to wave it in the air. Then it is off to drink champagne at one of the student clubs (if you are a sudent).

This day involves heavy partying and drinking too much for many of the 30 000 students in Uppsala. These two fellows are wearing their student costumes - overalls - and walking down from the castle area, probably heading for the next party...

Cigarette and drink in hand...

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