Vaksala kyrka, in Uppsala, is a parish church of Svenska kyrkan with roots reaching back to the late 1100s, before Uppsala even became an archbishopric. Its tall tower is a familiar landmark for travellers on the nearby E4 motorway.
The church was built in Romanesque style in the late twelfth century, with a sacristy added around the mid-1200s. Later that century the original chancel was demolished and rebuilt to match the width of the nave. Around 1300 the building was heightened in Gothic style, and the nave and chancel were originally covered by a tall timber barrel vault before being fitted, around the mid-1300s or slightly later, with the brick ribbed vaults still seen today. Porches added around 1400 were removed in the 1780s.
The earliest surviving wall paintings date from the first half of the fourteenth century. Further paintings in the north and south chapels are attributed to the workshop of Albertus Pictor, working in the later fifteenth century. These were limewashed over during a restoration in the 1790s and only rediscovered in 1929; though badly damaged, outlines and traces of colour remain visible.
Among the church's furnishings is a large altarpiece made in Antwerp around 1510, depicting the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ, and considered one of the larger examples of its type in Sweden. The pulpit dates from 1795 and is in the Gustavian style. A stone bridal bench, or bishop's chair, set against the north wall of the chancel, is thought to be the oldest item in the church, dating from the twelfth century.
The church also holds several older brass chandeliers, including a large one at the crossing bought in 1658, and two bells: a larger one originally cast in 1534 and recast twice since, and a smaller one first cast in 1650 and recast in 1896. Heraldic panels commemorating several noble families hang in the church, including one linked by marriage to a daughter of the naturalist Carl Linnaeus, who is buried in the churchyard.
The present organ was built in 1985, though its case dates from an earlier instrument of 1806 and was designed by Olof Tempelman. According to a source cited in the Wikipedia article, the church was closed for renovation between 2025 and 2026, including replacement of its heating system, with a reopening said to have taken place in August 2026 — a claim visitors should treat with caution given the uncertain currency of this information.
Provider-listed schedule, applicable on 12 Oct 2026. All times are local to Sweden.
| Monday | 09:00–15:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:00–15:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00–15:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00–15:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–15:00 |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| Sunday | Not listed |
Additional opening information is awaiting translation. Check the official visitor-information link before travelling.
Check access with the parish before travelling. Services and seasonal changes can affect visits.
Listed by the provider; availability has not been independently checked. An unlisted facility is not necessarily unavailable.
A listed ramp does not confirm step-free access throughout the building.
Vaksala församling
Vaksala församling
Vaksala kyrka, in Uppsala, is a parish church of Svenska kyrkan with roots reaching back to the late 1100s, before Uppsala even became an archbishopric. Its tall tower is a familiar landmark for travellers on the nearby E4 motorway.
Vaksala kyrkväg 2
Explore this church: Vaksala kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
Location and available visiting information. A fuller English guide is still to be added.
Olof Bromansgatan 8
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Björksätra Mitt, Sandviken
View church details: Björksätra kyrkaLocation and available visiting information. A fuller English guide is still to be added.
752 36, Uppsala
View church details: UniversitetskyrkanVästeråkers kyrka is a medieval parish church near Uppsala, notable for a rare inscription recording its own construction date of 1331. Built of granite and brick, it retains much of its original medieval character, including…
VÄSTERÅKER 40, 755 91, Uppsala
View church details: Västeråkers kyrkaSources, credits and English adaptations are identified on each church page. Provider data: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0.
Provider catalogue data: Svenska kyrkan, Platser, CC BY 4.0. Separately credited descriptions retain their stated source and licence terms. Catalogue and visiting data reformatted from the provider. The English guide combines and abridges separately credited sources below.
Provider record updated: 12 Aug 2026. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: 315eab7d-7e66-4789-a466-da7fee02f46f
This English guide combines, abridges and translates the sources below with AI assistance, with editorial contributions by Churches in Sweden. It has not been independently verified. The adapted guide text is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photographs and map data have their own terms.