The Uppsala Bloody History tour takes visitors on a captivating 1-hour journey through the city’s troubled past. Exploring topics like racial biology, the 18th-century plague, and 19th-century prostitution, the tour examines the complex heritage of Uppsala. With limited spots available, this immersive experience promises an enlightening encounter with the darker aspects of the city’s history. What unsettling revelations await those who dare to uncover Uppsala’s bloody past?
Key Points
- Uppsala’s troubled past includes its involvement in racial biology, a devastating 18th-century plague outbreak, and the prevalence of 19th-century prostitution.
- The Swedish State Institute for Racial Biology, founded in 1922, conducted unethical research on bodies and skulls, often without consent, to promote eugenics.
- The 18th-century plague outbreak in Uppsala claimed thousands of lives, as authorities struggled with quarantine measures and mass burials.
- Poverty and limited opportunities led to the emergence of a thriving sex trade in 19th-century Uppsala, with authorities taking a harsh stance towards prostitution.
- The tour provides an immersive 1-hour experience exploring these dark chapters in Uppsala’s history, including topics on racial biology, the plague, and prostitution.
Tour Overview
The "Uppsala Bloody History" tour offers visitors an immersive 1-hour experience that delves into the city’s tumultuous past.
Focusing on racial biology, the 18th-century plague, and 19th-century prostitution, the tour provides a comprehensive look at Uppsala’s complex history.
Priced at $32.83 per person, the tour accommodates up to 20 travelers.
The meeting point is Riddartorget, and the tour ends at the City Library.
Starting at 3:00 PM, the tour requires a moderate fitness level and isn’t wheelchair accessible, though service animals are allowed.
Confirmation is provided at booking, and cancellations can be made up to 24 hours in advance.
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Meeting and End Points
The meeting point for the "Uppsala Bloody History" tour is Riddartorget (Knights Square), located at Biskopsgatan, 753 10 Uppsala, Sweden.
The "Uppsala Bloody History" tour begins at Riddartorget (Knights Square), located on Biskopsgatan, 753 10 Uppsala, Sweden.
Participants will then be led to the end point at the City Library, Svartbäcksgatan 17, 753 75 Uppsala, Sweden.
The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but service animals are allowed.
Participants should have a moderate fitness level to fully enjoy the experience.
The tour lasts approximately one hour, starting promptly at 3:00 PM.
Schedule and Accessibility
Promptly at 3:00 PM, the "Uppsala Bloody History" tour commences.
It requires a moderate fitness level, as the tour isn’t wheelchair-accessible, though service animals are allowed.
Visitors gather at Riddartorget (Knights Square) in Uppsala, Sweden, and the experience concludes at the City Library on Svartbäcksgatan 17.
Booking confirmation is provided upon reservation, and cancellations are permitted up to 24 hours before the start time.
With a maximum of 20 travelers, the tour offers an in-depth exploration of Uppsala’s dark past, including racial biology, the 18th-century plague, and 19th-century prostitution.
Booking Information
Visitors can reserve their spot on the "Uppsala Bloody History" tour and pay later through the available option.
The booking process is straightforward:
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Confirmation is received upon booking.
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Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience starts.
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The tour has an average rating of 5.0 stars based on reviews from Viator and Tripadvisor.
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Payment can be made in advance or at the time of the tour.
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Reservations are limited to a maximum of 20 travelers.
Reviews and Ratings
According to the information provided, the "Uppsala Bloody History" tour has garnered an impressive 5.0-star average rating based on reviews from Viator and Tripadvisor.
The tour appears to be highly regarded, with a total of 3 reviews. While the sample size is small, the unanimously positive feedback suggests the tour offers a compelling and informative experience covering the dark and grisly aspects of Uppsala’s past, including racial biology, 18th-century plague, and 19th-century prostitution.
The tour’s popularity and positive ratings indicate it may be a must-see attraction for those interested in Uppsala’s macabre history.
Here are more experiences we've reviewed in Uppsala
Racial Biology in Uppsala
While Uppsala has a long and complex history, one particularly dark chapter involves the city’s involvement in the field of racial biology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The city was home to the Swedish State Institute for Racial Biology, founded in 1922 to promote the study of eugenics and racial superiority. This institute conducted extensive research and measurements on the bodies and skulls of Swedes, often without consent.
Some of its findings were used to justify discriminatory policies and practices targeting marginalized groups. The institute’s legacy remains a troubling part of Uppsala’s past.
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The Swedish State Institute for Racial Biology was founded in Uppsala in 1922.
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The institute conducted extensive research on the bodies and skulls of Swedes, often without consent.
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Its findings were used to promote eugenics and theories of racial superiority.
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Discriminatory policies and practices targeting marginalized groups were justified by the institute’s work.
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The institute’s legacy remains a troubling part of Uppsala’s history.
The 18th Century Plague
In the 18th century, Uppsala experienced a devastating plague that swept through the city, claiming the lives of thousands.
Outbreaks of contagious diseases were common during this era, and Uppsala was no exception. The plague, believed to have been bubonic, caused immense suffering and loss of life.
Outbreaks of contagious diseases were a common scourge, and Uppsala bore the devastating burden of a bubonic plague outbreak.
Authorities struggled to contain the outbreak, implementing quarantine measures and mass burials. The impact on the city’s population was staggering, with many families torn apart by the devastating effects of the plague.
Despite the hardship, the people of Uppsala persevered, rebuilding their community in the aftermath of this tragic chapter in the city’s history.
19th Century Prostitution in Uppsala
During the 19th century, Uppsala witnessed the emergence of a thriving sex trade, as the city grappled with the social and moral complexities of prostitution. Driven by poverty and limited economic opportunities, many women turned to sex work to support themselves and their families.
The authorities often took a harsh stance, occasionally raiding brothels and subjecting sex workers to intrusive medical examinations. The industry persisted, becoming an entrenched part of the city’s social fabric.
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Prostitution was concentrated in certain neighborhoods, forming "red light districts."
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Many sex workers were young and migratory, hailing from rural areas or neighboring towns.
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Clients ranged from local laborers to wealthy patrons, reflecting the industry’s diverse clientele.
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Efforts to regulate and control prostitution were often criticized as ineffective and moralistic.
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The stigma surrounding sex work made it a contentious social issue throughout the 19th century.
The Sum Up
The Uppsala Bloody History tour offers a compelling exploration of the city’s complex and troubling past. Participants will explore the impacts of eugenics, the devastation of the 18th-century plague, and the social dynamics surrounding 19th-century prostitution. This immersive experience promises an enlightening encounter with Uppsala’s intricate heritage, providing a thought-provoking look at the city’s darker chapters.
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