Gamla Uppsala
Uppsala län
Gamla Uppsala, located just outside the modern city of Uppsala in Sweden, is a site of profound historical and cultural importance dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. It served as a major religious, economic, and political hub during the Iron Age and Viking periods, renowned as the seat of the legendary Yngling dynasty of Swedish kings. The area hosts the famous Uppsala högar, three large burial mounds believed to be the graves of ancient Swedish kings, constructed between 500 and 600 AD. Gamla Uppsala was also the location of the Thing of all Swedes, a general assembly held annually alongside the Disting fair and the Dísablót religious festival, which underscored its central role in Norse governance and religion. In medieval times, it became Sweden's archbishopric seat until the relocation to the nearby city of Uppsala in the 13th century. The site is linked to Norse mythology, with gods such as Freyr said to have had a temple here, and it was known for its sacrificial rites described by chroniclers like Adam of Bremen. Today, Gamla Uppsala remains a symbol of Sweden's pre-Christian heritage and early state formation, with archaeological remains and the church standing as testaments to its layered history.
ヒント: The best time to visit Gamla Uppsala is during spring, particularly around Easter when the Swedish Asatru community holds the traditional Vårblot festival at the Uppsala mounds. Visitors are advised to purchase tickets or book guided tours in advance during peak seasons. The site offers discounts for students and seniors. Since the area is open-air with extensive grounds, comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
興味深い事実
- •The three large burial mounds at Gamla Uppsala are among the largest in Sweden and are traditionally believed to be the graves of ancient Swedish kings from the 6th century.
- •According to Adam of Bremen, the Temple at Uppsala was built entirely of gold and housed statues of three gods, with human and animal sacrifices conducted every nine years.
- •The Thing of all Swedes, a general assembly held at Gamla Uppsala, was where kings proclaimed naval levies for warfare.
- •The name 'Uppsala öd' refers to the royal estate properties surrounding Gamla Uppsala, forming a core part of the early Swedish Crown's holdings.
- •The spring Vårblot festival at Gamla Uppsala is a modern revival of ancient Norse religious practices by Sweden's Asatru community.
歴史
Gamla Uppsala's origins trace back to the Iron Age, becoming a prominent center for the Swedes by the 3rd century AD.
It was the seat of the Yngling dynasty and the location of the Thing of all Swedes assembly.
The area was central to Norse pagan worship, hosting the Temple at Uppsala and associated sacrificial rites until Christianization.
In 1164, Gamla Uppsala became the archbishopric seat of Sweden, a status it held until 1273 when the archbishopric moved to the newly developed city of Uppsala following a cathedral fire.
Over centuries, land elevation and changing waterways altered its accessibility, diminishing its political importance but preserving its cultural legacy.
場所ガイド
The Royal Burial Mounds (Uppsala Högar)6th century
Three massive burial mounds dating from the 6th century, believed to be the graves of ancient Swedish kings of the Yngling dynasty. They are among the largest burial mounds in Scandinavia and dominate the landscape of Gamla Uppsala.
Gamla Uppsala Church12th century
A medieval church built on or near the site of the former pagan temple. It served as the archbishopric seat until 1273 and stands as a testament to the Christianization of Sweden.
The Site of the Thing of all SwedesPrehistoric to Middle Ages
The traditional assembly place where the Swedes gathered for legislative and military decisions, coinciding with the Disting fair and Dísablót festival.
