cities and castles in Sweden
This is not my first trip to Sweden. Since I live on the territory of Ingermanladia, I always want to learn more about this land and its history. That is why the history of Veliky Novgorod and its neighbor-ally-enemy Sweden has long interested me. There were even times when the Baltic was the inland sea of Sweden, because. along its banks were lands under the rule of Sweden. Then Peter I defeated Charles XII near Poltava and the empire "on the shores of the Baltic" collapsed. Sweden lost lands outside its country (the Swedes are grateful to our king for this: it became easier to manage the territory, the imperial arrogance decreased).
Our journey included Finnish Turku (Abo - Swiss), Naantali (Nidensdal - Swiss), Swedish Sigtuna, Gripsholm, Uppsala.
Finland was a buffer zone between neighbors, sometimes belonged to Sweden, sometimes to Russia. In the Middle Ages, from time to time, neighbors went to visit each other. Not always with goods, sometimes with a sword. That is, the ties are long-standing and close. Therefore, Finnish cities today have two names. And throughout these territories, fortresses and castles are scattered - to protect against neighbors.
Turku is a sister city of our city and I really wanted to know more about it. I visited the Turku Fortress on a previous trip a year earlier. On this trip, we ended up in a wonderful medieval museum - Aboa Vetus. There are interactive exhibits interesting for children when you can play medieval games. They will make a copy of a medieval coin for you. You will see the walls of the medieval city. At the entrance there is a shop where you can find history books and a cafe. Entrance - 8.7 euros.
Many children know stories about Moomin trolls. The children's park is located in Naantali. But there is also a medieval church, which is still operating. In the same area, the presidents of Finland rest.
Sigtuna is the second main center of Sweden after Birka. The kingdom did not yet exist. Sigtuna was founded in 980 during the Viking Age. But it was already a Christian city, and therefore it contains the ruins of the medieval churches of St. Peter, Lawrence and Olaf and the current St. Mary. The Swedish Vikings traveled on their merchant ships along the Russian rivers to Istanbul. Irina, the wife of Yaroslav the Wise, was born in Sigtuna. She received as a wedding gift the territory around Staraya Ladoga, considered the first capital of Russia. There are several runestones on the territory of the city, and there are more than a hundred of them in the district. This is the richest place in Sweden for runic monuments. The city was destroyed in the XII century. The city is located near Arlanda Airport (Stockholm), 47 km northwest of the current capital.
Uppsala consists of two parts - Old and New. Old Uppsala has been known since the 3rd century. There are burial mounds similar to those in Staraya Ladoga (4th-12th centuries). There is a museum nearby (unfortunately it was closed at the moment we were there). Nearby is a church rebuilt after a fire in the 13th century, when the episcopal city was moved to the so-called New Uppsala.
New Uppsala becomes an episcopal city, the capital of the state from the 13th century. In New Uppsala you can see:
- the royal castle on a hill (at present, part of the castle is an art museum).
- book collection Carolina Rediviva. It contains an amazing book - the Silver Code. The translation of the Bible into the Gothic language is written in silver letters on crimson-colored paper. It needs to be seen. There are also a lot of interesting maps, including the map of the "inland reservoir of Sweden" - the Baltic. Entrance to the right, free. You can't take pictures - books!
- Gustavianum Museum. The story of the oldest university in Sweden (founded in the 15th century) is told. The most curious exhibit is the anatomical theater. There is a Viking hall with the remains of their glass-covered vessel that appears to be walkable. Almost opposite the cathedral. Entrance 50 CZK.
- Uppsala Museum (history of the city). It tells the history of the city to the present day. Located at the mill. The entrance is free.
- Uppsala Cathedral. The rulers of the country who died before the official transfer of the capital to Stockholm are buried here. That is, such personalities as Gustav Vasa are buried here. This is a very interesting place.
- Linnaeus Museum and Gardens. This must be seen in the summer when everything is in bloom.
- runic stones are found in the city.
The city is located 71 km northwest of Stockholm, beyond Sigtuna.
Then we looked at the silver mines of Sala. Mining starts from XIII. These mines are from more recent times. The depth is huge, you go down by elevator to a level of more than 100 m (we used to walk). Long unlit corridors. Inside there is a hotel (one room for the first wedding night of extreme people - cold and without amenities) and a concert hall. Northwest of Stockholm. Entrance 220 CZK.
The name Gripsholm comes from the knight Grip, who founded the first castle in the 14th century. Then there was a monastery here. After the reform of Gustav Vasa, the castle became royal and its reconstruction began. Inside is a huge collection of portraits. There is a theater built by order of King Gustav III. Photography is not allowed inside (the castle belongs to the Swedish royal family, they set the rules). Opened in summer. The rest of the time - guided tours. It is located on an island in Lake Mä laren, near the town of Marienfred, about 70 km southwest of Stockholm. Entrance 140 CZK.
And finally, the Museum of the Middle Ages in Stockholm. It is located between the Royal Palace and the Parliament, where the waters of Lake Mä laren break into the sea. Near the ticket office, we took a plan of the museum. The audio guide is like a small flashlight. Further inside, you look at the plan, look for a button on the wall and attach the audio guide to it. The story is to be continued. In Russian, the tour lasts about an hour. Everything is very interesting. But alas, one curious character associated with our history is not mentioned - Jarl Birger - the founder of Stockholm, "in combination" - the opponent of Alexander Nevsky in the Battle of the Neva in 1240. His bust can be seen in the museum. Entrance CZK 120 with audio guide.
