Museum & history | Sights

Uppsala University Library is one of the oldest and largest research libraries in the Nordic region, housing vast and valuable collections that today form a rich cultural heritage. The library was founded by King Gustav II Adolf in 1620, who also donated the first collections. Since then, the collections have continued to grow.

Carolina Rediviva was inaugurated in 1841 and is one of Uppsala’s most iconic buildings. With its grand architecture and its location on Carolinabacken, the building has long stood as a symbol of both the university and the city. Inside, you’ll find reading rooms, research facilities, and a café with views over Uppsala.

Every year on Walpurgis Eve, thousands of students gather below Carolina Rediviva for the traditional hat-raising ceremony. When the Vice-Chancellor waves their white student cap, the celebration of spring begins – one of Uppsala’s most cherished and atmospheric student traditions.

The Silver Bible

On display is the world-famous Silver Bible – a unique manuscript and one of the most treasured artifacts in linguistic and cultural research. It is the single most important source of knowledge about the now-extinct Gothic language, making it invaluable to scholars. Despite its name, the Silver Bible is not a complete Bible but contains only the four Gospels – an evangeliarium. The manuscript was written in Italy in the early 6th century, using gold and silver ink on thin, purple-dyed parchment of exceptional quality.

Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie donated the book to Uppsala University in 1669.

The Exhibition Hall

In the exhibition hall, you can also explore highlights from the library’s extensive and valuable collections, built up over 400 years. Here, you can trace the evolution of writing through the ages, the rise of the printing press, and the spread of scientific discoveries in printed form. Historical documents provide fascinating insights into the development of society and democracy over the past centuries.

You’ll also find the earliest reasonably accurate map of the Nordic region, Carta Marina, printed in 1539.