Gustav Vasa initiated the construction of Uppsala castle in 1549, during a transitional period in Swedish history. Many decisive historical events have taken place here in the castle, such as the brutal massacre of the Sture family and Queen Christina’s abdication. In addition to the impressive throne room with adjacent rooms and stairwell, guided tours also include parts of the magnificent castle church that Johan III had built in the late 1500s. Parts of the richly ornamented, stucco altar wall is still well preserved. It offers us an exciting insight to the theology, concepts and aesthetics of the Vasa renaissance.
The old rooms of the castle church now house art from the Uppsala University art collection that spans a period from the 13th to the 19th centuries. In addition to numerous portraits of the Swedish aristocracy, the collection also includes, among other things, Dutch painting of International class. Historically famous artists such as Ehrenstrahl, Pasch, Cranach, Aertsen and Bruegel are also represented here.
GUIDED TOURS
The castle is open in connection with the art and architecture tours:
Feb 21, March 21, April 18, May 16 and June 20.
28 juni – 4 september 2011
During the summer months, guided tours will be conducted throughout the castle Tuesday-Sunday in both Swedish and English.
Tuesday – Sunday
12:15 Swedish
1:00 p.m. English
2:00 p.m. Swedish
3:00 p.m. English
Audio guides are available in English, German and French.
Tickets including entrance fee to Uppsala Art Museum:
Adults 80 SEK
Children and youths 15 SEK
Groups are welcome to book private guided tours.
Dag Hammarskjöld theme at Uppsala castle and Uppsala Art Museum June-September 2011
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld in an airplane crash in Ndola, Zambia. His years spent growing up in Uppsala castle and his studies at the Cathedral School, and later at Uppsala University were crucial in shaping him into the world leader he subsequently became. Castle guided tours will be conducted throughout the summer with a focus on Dag Hammarskjöld’s childhood years in the castle, with tennis matches in the throne room and adventurous explorations of the surroundings, as well as his accomplishments later in life. Also included in the tour is a presentation of the meditation room in Uppsala Art Museum that is based on the design of Dag Hammarskjöld’s meditation room in the UN headquarters in New York.
Castle guided tours with Dag Hammarskjöld theme
Dates and hours: Sundays 3 July - 4 September
2:00 p.m. in Swedish, 3:00 p.m. in English
Tickets including museum entrance fee:
Adults 80 SEK
Children and youths 15 SEK
Groups are welcome to book a Dag Hammarskjöld guided tour.
For information and booking:
Phone: +46 (0)18-727 24 85, 727 24 82
E-mail: konstmuseum@uppsala.se