Uppsala: The Devil's Contract, Discover the Oldest University

Discover the rich academic heritage of Uppsala as you explore the oldest university in the Nordic world. This guided city walk leads you through the historic heart of Uppsala, focusing on the university founded in the late medieval era. Your knowledgeable and authorized Uppsala guide will take you to the grand University Hall and past significant sites such as Gustavianum and the Carolina Rediviva Library. As you stroll through central Uppsala, you will learn about the preserved buildings, professor residences, and early student quarters that helped shape this remarkable center of learning. Hear captivating stories about renowned scholars including Celsius, Rudbeck, and Linnaeus, as well as the legendary tale of a student who was said to have entered a pact with the devil.

The walk brings to life the dramatic and sometimes turbulent history of student life in Uppsala. Listen to accounts of harsh student initiations in past centuries, the professor rumored to sell essays, and the long rivalry between Denmark and Sweden that paved the way for the founding of the university. Discover curious tales such as how the university was once forced to buy back a royal gift and how tense relations between townspeople and students created a city within the city. Learn about the cathedral court that handled student misconduct and explore how the traditions of the past continue to shape Uppsala today. This tour offers an engaging and insightful journey through the evolution of one of Europes oldest centers of scholarship.