The Gunilla Bell

The Gunilla Bell, standing in front of Uppsala Castle atop the Styrbiskop bastion, is one of Uppsala’s most recognizable landmarks. It is a so-called watch bell, once used to mark the beginning and end of the day. For centuries, its chimes have echoed from the castle hill—every morning at six and every evening at nine.

The bell was donated in 1588 by Queen Gunilla Bielke, the second wife of King John III. It was probably cast for the castle church but came to serve as the time bell for the castle clock, hanging from a beam on the southeastern tower. After the great castle fire of 1702, and following its recasting in 1752, it was mounted as a watch bell in an open belfry atop the Styrbiskop bastion.