Real 16th Century Ruins for Joy and Thrill


Vasaborgen is the remains of the original Uppsala castle. In the old 16th century ruins we can offer unforgettable stories about kings, queens, princes princesses and evil, horrible, sudden death. 

The Museum is open June to August. Guide yourself around or join a guided tour in English. 

Year round we offer PRE BOOKED guided historical tours in English  for school classes, groups, companies, and organizations. Also pre booked GHOST WALKS in English and WEDDINGS in the historical environment. On the Culture Night 2nd weekend in September and around Halloween we have PUBLIC GHOST WALKS in Swedish. 

How to get here:

Entrance fee

Adults: 120 SEK. 

Children/Students/Retired: 60 SEK.

Please pay with credit card.

Vasaborgen is a ruin, unfortunately not adapted for people with disabilities. 

Opening hours 2022

11th of  June to  21st of August
ALMOST every day   11 am – 5 pm.

Guidings

Weekdays at 2 pm (Swedish)

Saturdays and Sundays in June and July at 1 pm (English) and 2 pm June - August (Swedish)

Guiding included in entrance fee.

Deviating opening hours

11 June  11 am - 3 pm

24 June , Midsummers eve CLOSED

2 July 11 am -  3 pm

30 July 11 am - 1 pm

GHOST WALKS

You can book your own Ghost walk in English. 

PRICE 6000 SEK + VAT for companies, Incl VAT for FITs.


THRILL, POWER  AND HORRIBLE DEATHS 

Are you afraid of ghosts? Then book a ghost walk in the Vasaborgen 16th century ruins at Uppsala Castle. Truths are blended with sayings about kings,princes and princesses who have not really found peace. If you have an open mind, you will learn how to become friends with the ghosts. Within an hour, you will join the castle wife Maria in the catacombs and the royal apartments of Vasaborgen, which in the 16th century was the most modern defense fortress in Scandinavia and the original Uppsala castle. There is no heating, no carpets or other amenities. Just exciting ruins with a roof and wings of  history from ancient times whizzing in the ruin. The Castle wife takes you on a story with history, power and evil, sudden death. Only pre booking at least one week in advance. From 7 years. Children only in company with an adult.

Events when museum is closed

Even if the museum is closed during winter, you can book your own guided tour in English all year round. 
Foto: Clarion Hotel Gillet
Foto: Mia Ulin
Foto: Mia Ulin

Weddings in historical environments

You can have your wedding ceremony in the Vasaborgen Tower room. 
Foto: Torbjörn Koivisto.

Early Castle History: The Vasa family

Gustav Vasa

In 1549, King Gustav Vasa began building a fortification in Uppsala, which at the time was the most modern in northern Europe. 

A power-hungry Gustav challenged the highest of the church by aiming its cannons at the cathedral tower. In Vasaborgen you get to know more about Gustav's plans and visits in Uppsala, at this time regarded as the second capital of the kingdom.

Erik XIV

On May 24, 1567, Gustav Vasa's eldest son Erik XIV, who may have had a beginning mental illness, comitted the horrific Sture murders. It is believed that the murders took place here in the oldest parts of the castle.

Johan III

Erik XIV may have been murdered by order of his brother Johan III, who was also called Duke Johan of Finland. He had the castle restored after a fire, and then built, among other things, King John's gate as
is outside the entrance to Vasaborgen. Johan married a Polish princess, Katarina Jagellonica, and converted to Catholicism.

One of Gustav's daughters, Cecilia Vasa, is said to have lived a wild and sinful life. According to the legend, she came into disfavor with the court, and it is said
that her spirit is still wandering in the castle ruins. Many now living can testify to strange events and lost furniture, swaying chandeliers and a feeling of discomfort when staying in certain parts of the castle.

The Sture murders 1567 

The so called Sture murders are where the murders of three noblemen of the prominent Sture family and three more persons, where killed by the direct orders of King Erik XIV. The terrible event took place in Vasaborgen Uppsala Castle on 24 May 1567. Unbridled rage and mental illness has been cited as an explanation for the king's decisions and actions around the murders. This painting hangs in the original at Uppsala Castle, painted by Gustaf Cederström.

Queen Kristina

Queen Kristina (1626–1689) ruled the years 1632–1654. She is one of three reigning queens in Sweden's history and became the last regent of the Vasa family. Queen Kristina abdicated in the State Hall at Uppsala Castle in 1654 and then converted to Catholicism. Kristina's choices and motives have been discussed for centuries. It has been speculated whether she preferred men or women. She often wore men's clothes and was raised to be a king. She was clear that she never wanted to get married but didn't want to tell why. An exchange of letters with one of the pope's cardinals, however, shows that she was deeply in love with him. No one knows, except Kristina, what she really felt or thought. What is clear is that she is one of history's most obstinate and freedom-loving women. Kristina is buried in St. Peter's Church in Rome. Here portrayed by Sébastien Bourdon shortly before the abdication.