Our day began with a visit to the Royal Mounds (Kungshögarna), three large burial mounds dating from the 5th and 6th centuries AD. They are located but 5km north of Uppsala in a small village named Gamla Uppsala. The mounds are said to be the homes of legendary pre-Viking kings.
People have been buried in Gamla Uppsala for 2,000 years, since the area rose above water. Originally there were between 2,000 and 3,000 mounds in the area but most have become farmland, gardens and quarries. Today only 250 barrows remain. There are cairns of splintered stone that reveal that the area was settled during the Nordic Bronze Age, but most of the grave fields are from the Iron Age and the Viking Age.
The stone church of Gamla Uppsala, built over the pagan temple, dates from the early 12th century. Due to fire and renovations, the present church is only a remnant of the original cathedral. According to legends, King Eric IX did much to consolidate Christianity in his realm. Eric became the patron saint of Stockholm and is depicted in the city's coat of arms.
The king was buried in the Gamla Uppsala church, which he had rebuilt around the burial mounds of his pagan predecessors. In 1167, his body was enshrined and his relics and regalia were transferred to the present cathedral of Uppsala, where we spent time at the beginning of our trip.
Outside, there is an 11th-century rune stone set into the wall and others can be seen nearby.
Family tombstones in the churchyard, as in many Swedish cemeteries, are surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges.
The Gamla Uppsala Museum contains finds from the cremation mounds, a poignant mix of charred and melted beads, bones and buckles.
But best of all, Dugan and Sage had a chance to see and feel what it might have been like to be a knight in very heavy armor. There aren't too many places we have come across where you can try on chain mail and a helmet for size. There were various other hands-on activities for creative fun that the kids enjoyed very much.
After having great fun in the museum, we enjoyed lunch in a small restaurant on the Gamla Uppsala grounds before having an afternoon picnic of coffee and Tina's homemade Swedish cinnamon buns! It was a time to relax and simply enjoy being together.
Throughout the Kingdom of Sweden there are an amazing number of castles and palaces, mostly dating back hundreds of years. One that stands high above the city of Uppsala is a castle that dates back almost five centuries.
Uppsala Castle has a dominant position high upon Beacon Ridge and can be seen from afar as one approaches the city. The castle’s construction began in the middle of the 16th century as a protection against both international and domestic enemies. Throughout much of its early history, the castle played a major role in the history of Sweden. Uppsala Castle was built during the time Sweden was on its way to become a great power in Europe.
The formal gardens formerly belonged to the castle, but presently are being maintained by the botanical gardens.
This is the last day for traveling in the van that has allowed us to see so many fascinating places in the Lake Siljan region. When we first came to Sweden in 1965, they drove on the left side of the road, and we rented a VW bug and got around without any problems. A VW bug would not quite work for the seven of us now!
The changeover to driving on the right took place on a Sunday morning at 5am on September 3, 1967, which was known in Swedish as Dagen H (H-Day), the 'H' standing for Högertrafik or right-hand traffic. Virtually all cars in Sweden were already left-hand drive, and the neighboring Nordic countries already drove on the right.
Sweden has an especially well-functioning transport system which served us well for the rest of our trip, beginning with a train trip from Uppsala to Stockholm, where we will be spending the last few days of our Swedish journey.
When the train pulled into the station in Stockholm, we weren't sure if that was where we were supposed to get off. Fortunately, Tina's friend, Egidio, was there to meet us, got on the train and told us it was the place to get off! We found FREY'S HOTEL, where we would stay for the next three nights, while Tina, Dug, and Judy returned the van at the airport. All the luggage was squeezed into Tina's car for everyone to help unload and take to the fifth floor...We're extremely glad for the elevator!
Because we were staying in downtown Stockholm, we found we could either take public transportation or walk to every place we wanted to see. From our hotel we walked to a wonderful Italian restaurant with an outdoor courtyard which Tina recommended.
Tomorrow in Stockholm will be another adventuresome day.
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