Cities
Sweden Uppsala Uppsala County Historical Landmark

Gamla Uppsala Burial Mounds

About

The Gamla Uppsala Burial Mounds form one of Sweden’s most iconic archaeological landscapes, rising above the plains north of Uppsala as powerful reminders of the region’s ancient past. Dating from the 5th and 6th centuries, the three great royal mounds are believed to be the resting places of early rulers or legendary figures associated with the pre‑Christian cult centre that once stood here. Their monumental scale reflects the political and spiritual importance of Old Uppsala during the Iron Age, when it served as a hub for ritual gatherings, trade, and governance. Surrounding the mounds are traces of settlements, grave fields, and ceremonial structures that reveal a complex and long‑lived community. Today, the site offers a striking blend of myth, archaeology, and natural beauty, inviting visitors to explore a landscape where Scandinavian legend and early Swedish history meet.

Uppsala Sweden
Gamla Uppsala Burial Mounds
Location

The Gamla Uppsala burial mounds are located in the historic village of Gamla Uppsala, situated approximately four kilometers north of central Uppsala, Sweden. This significant archaeological site, dominated by three prominent royal mounds traditionally associated with Norse gods, is highly accessible from the city center via public transport or a scenic bike ride. Nearby attractions that provide a comprehensive historical experience include the Gamla Uppsala Museum, which features artifacts and interactive exhibits related to the site's prehistoric and Viking-era past, and the 12th-century Gamla Uppsala Church, built on the site of a former pagan temple. The surrounding landscape, dotted with nearly 300 smaller mounds, offers historical walking trails where visitors can immerse themselves in the area's legacy as a former royal, religious, and political center. Additionally, the nearby Odinsborg café provides a place for visitors to enjoy a traditional Swedish fika, completing the experience of this landmark cultural site.

Upplandsmuseet Upplandsmuseet Museum Gamla Uppsala Museum Gamla Uppsala Museum Museum Friluftsmuseet Disagården Friluftsmuseet Disagården Museum Gustavianum Gustavianum Museum Uppsala Konstmuseum Uppsala Konstmuseum Museum Museum of Evolution Museum of Evolution Museum Museum of Medical History Museum of Medical History Museum Linnaeus Museum Linnaeus Museum Museum Biotopia Biotopia Museum Bror Hjorths Hus Bror Hjorths Hus Museum Carolina Rediviva Exhibition Hall Carolina Rediviva Exhibition Hall Museum Walmstedtska gården Walmstedtska gården Museum Uppsala Stadsteater Uppsala Stadsteater Theatre Reginateatern Reginateatern Theatre Den Lilla Teatern Den Lilla Teatern Theatre Humanities Theatre Humanities Theatre Theatre Uppsala Castle Uppsala Castle Castle Vasaborgen Vasaborgen Palace Uppsala Cathedral Uppsala Cathedral Cathedral Holy Trinity Church Uppsala Holy Trinity Church Uppsala Church Old Uppsala Church Old Uppsala Church Church Vaksala Church Vaksala Church Church Uppsala University Main Building Uppsala University Main Building Historical Landmark Gamla Observatoriet Gamla Observatoriet Observatory Botanical Garden Uppsala Botanical Garden Uppsala Botanical Garden Linnaeus Garden Linnaeus Garden Botanical Garden Linnaeus' Hammarby Linnaeus' Hammarby Botanical Garden Stadsträdgården Stadsträdgården Park