Uppsala University has seen six Nobel laureates. Research in Space Physics is carried out at the Uppsala Division of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, and in Geomagnetism at the Geological Survey of Sweden, in both cases in close collaboration with the University. The Uppsala municipality, with more than 180,000 people, is the fourth largest in Sweden. As early as the 6th century Uppsala was a political and religious centre. From here the old pagan kings ruled.
Legend has it there was a splendid temple here, decorated with gold.
Every ninth year the mid-winter sacrifice was held, when streams of people came from all provinces of the kingdom of Svea in order to sacrifice to the gods. While meetings in Uppsala nowadays are different, still the three royal burial mounds at Old Uppsala remind us of the great old days. Walking about in Uppsala you will see many historical buildings. In particular you should take a close look at Gustavianum, between the Cathedral and the University Hall. It was restored in the latter half of the 17th century under the supervision of Olof Rudbeck the Elder.