Old Uppsala Church, 12th-century Romanesque church in Uppsala, Sweden
Old Uppsala Church is a 12th-century stone church built on elevated ground with a central tower and features medieval wooden sculptures. The building displays three crucifixes from different time periods and sits within its own historic cemetery.
The church was built in 1130 on the site of a former pagan temple and served as Sweden's first archbishop's residence. The religious center later relocated around 1273 to present-day Uppsala while this structure remained important locally.
The church marks a major shift from Norse religious practices to Christian faith in Sweden, with its location once housing wooden statues of pagan gods. Today visitors see artworks that reflect this spiritual transformation.
The building is easily accessible with wheelchair access throughout the structure and cemetery grounds. Visitors should check regular opening hours and can arrange guided tours for deeper understanding of the site.
The building preserves chalk paintings from the 15th century and houses the original burial site of Swedish King Eric IX. These two features make it a special place for those interested in early Swedish history.
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