Northern Europe 2019, day 9: Uppsala

The next day we laced up our walking shoes and headed out for some sight seeing. Like many college towns, this one has its share of bikes.

You can see the spires of Uppsala Cathedral from anywhere in the old town. The woman at the hotel said you can use them as a kind of directional landmark.

There are lots of bikes in both Stockholm and Uppsala, and many of the bike paths are located on the sidewalk. This means that you need to be very aware of where you’re walking, or else you might get mowed down.

Anne: Yes, I remember that was the case in Amsterdam. Looks like a beautiful locale!

There are some tombs under the cathedral; King Gustav Vasa and his wives are buried here, as well as Carl Linnaeus (the scientist who developed how to classify plants).

Anne: It’s a beautiful cathedral!

Inside the cathedral! It was built around 1300, but it took another hundred years or so for it to be consecrated.

Casey told me that they built flying buttresses in order to be able to put in windows; otherwise the walls would not be able to hold up the heavy stone.

Anne: Yes, I learned that from “Pillars of the Earth”.

This picture says it all…it’s definitely NOT ABBA the Museum.

This was one of many tapestries hanging throughout the cathedral.

The queen is not amused! We took this after walking through the dungeon at Uppsala Castle.

Anne: Queen Anna looks like she is about to say, “Off with their heads!”

The Carl Linnaeus botanical garden, which is just across the street from the castle.

It’s very manicured, as you can see, but it has a pleasing sense of symmetry.

Back to the hotel…we checked out the relaxation room. There’s also a sauna—one for men, one for women—just off the room.

Anne: Lovely!

The balcony outside the relaxation room.

Walking to dinner at a nearby Indian restaurant. It’s outside of the old town area, and it was interesting to see some “newer” buildings.