Gamla Uppsala

[blue pig]

Just added this to the 'what are we thankful for today' spot.
Took a trip out to this former pagan centre, actually pagan up until the mid 1100's, not expecting too much; popular site, kids holidays etc.
Wrong. So much to experience here. Archaelogy happening, a small but decent museum, a good map and signs in Swedish and English.
Just walking around the site you experience the relevance of the elements, how the site grew from the bronze age through to the later viking age and why it should be so significant to pagans now. 'Royal' burial mounds and grave fields, a sacrificial site of a grove and natural springs, the traditional meeting place where the community gathered in the Spring; the seats of Thor, Odin and Frey. There is much here to contemplate. Blessings to the spirits of this sacred place. Leaving aside the unfamiliar names I found my gods here...

[DaRC]

Ash that is good to know if I head over to Sweden it will definitely be on my must see list!

[Explorer]

I visited that site 2 years ago, and I agree with what you say. Impressive site.

[blue pig]

Hi Explorer

Did you visit any more sites while you were in the area?

Or has anyone else any information or recommendations for Swedish sacred sites?

Listening to an archaeological guide at Birka over the Summer Sweden is, in a sense, peppered with sites; burials are everywhere. What is harder to tap into is the evidence for ceremonial/'temple' sites, the current thinking being that ritual took place in the great banqueting halls, or, my own feeling, in the landscape. and like many other countries later churches were built over many of these sites.

There is a closeness and respect for the elements here, and much to contemplate.

bp