Upsala

Upsala, the historic centre of ancient Sweden, the principal and last stronghold of heathenism in that country, and still one of the most important towns in Sweden, stands on a little stream that runs down to Lake Mälar, 41 miles by rail N. by W. of Stockholm. Its existing importance is due to its being the seat of the primate, the only archbishop of the Swedish church, and of the principal university. The cathedral, built of brick in the Gothic style, was founded in 1289, completed in 1435, partly burned down in 1702, and only partly restored since that disaster. It contains the tomb of Linnæus, and those of Gustavus Vasa and some other Swedish kings. The university, founded in 1477, though new buildings were erected in 1877, is attended by 1900 students, and possesses a library (1620) of 250,000 volumes and 10,000 MSS., an observatory, botanical garden, and various scientific collections. In the older town, around which on the east and north new suburbs have been built, there stands the castle of Gustavus Vasa (1548). Pop. (1890) 21,511. About 3 miles to the NE. lies OLD UPSALA, where are three vast tumuli of the ancient legendary kings; and about 4 miles to the SE. are the Mora stones, on which the old kings used to take the oaths of good governance.