Gamla Uppsala
The old religious and royal centre of Sweden, where Norse sources describe a great temple and sacrifices every nine years.
Practised and told of here
Best time: June to August, though autumn is quieter.
Gamla Uppsala has three large burial mounds from the sixth century CE and a medieval church on the site. Adam of Bremen, writing about 1075, described a golden temple and a festival with sacrifices held every nine years. The account was written by a Christian outsider and is debated.
The sources
Adam says people, animals and others were hung in a sacred grove near the temple. Archaeologists have found postholes of a large hall near the church, and evidence of feasting, but cannot confirm the details of Adam's account.
Heathenry today
Modern followers of Norse religion, Ásatrú and Heathenry, hold some gatherings in Sweden. Some meet in the area, and the site is protected as a national landmark.
Visiting
A museum, Gamla Uppsala Museum, covers the finds. The mounds are open to walk past, but climbing them is not permitted.
A respectful visit to Gamla Uppsala
Living communities are not a show. Ask before photographing a person or a ceremony, and follow local rules.
- Gamla Uppsala Museum Learn the history of the mounds.
- The royal mounds Walk the path past them.
- Gamla Uppsala Church See the church that stands where the temple may have been.
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Gamla Uppsala" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and ceremonies change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Temple at Uppsala: Olaus Magnus, Public domain, source