UPPSALA CITY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Dark Uppsala: A 90‑Minute Walk Through Liquor Barons, Brothels and the Institute of Racial Biology
A guided, 90‑minute city walk that uncovers Uppsala’s overlooked and troubling past—useful for travelers who want a rigorous, historian‑led view of the city’s darker chapters.
Dark Uppsala: A 90‑Minute Walk Through Liquor Barons, Brothels and the Institute of Racial Biology.
Embark on a haunting 90‑minute journey through Uppsala’s shadowy past. Guided by an authorized city guide, the walk moves through back alleys and among familiar buildings to reveal stories of 19th‑century brothels and liquor barons, the devastation of plague, the poor sent to correction houses, and the grim legacies of the Swedish Institute for Racial Biology including forced sterilizations and lobotomy operations.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hidden stories of Uppsala’s darker past
Hear about 19th‑century brothels, the arrival of the black death in 1710, slavery, and the correction houses that contained the city’s poorest—material that brings a less familiar face of Uppsala into view.
The site and legacy of the Institute for Racial Biology
Visit the old Institute for Racial Biology and learn about its self‑governed period (1922–1958) and the 20th‑century forced sterilization and lobotomy programs that are part of Sweden’s difficult history.
Back alleys, university buildings and the anatomical institution
The walk threads through Uppsala’s back alleys and around notable downtown buildings, including places tied to legalized prostitution and the university’s anatomical institution—sites that reveal how social control and science intersected here.
What the day feels like
What the walk feels like
The experience is a compact, authoritative city walk: an authorized Uppsala city guide leads a focused 90‑minute route through alleyways and among public buildings, pausing at sites where local stories expose broader national histories—from liquor barons and weekly medical examinations of working women to the institutional practices of racial biology.
THE HISTORY
Hidden stories of Uppsala’s darker past
Hear about 19th‑century brothels, the arrival of the black death in 1710, slavery, and the correction houses that contained the city’s poorest—material that brings a less familiar face of Uppsala into view.
THE INSTITUTION
The site and legacy of the Institute for Racial Biology
Visit the old Institute for Racial Biology and learn about its self‑governed period (1922–1958) and the 20th‑century forced sterilization and lobotomy programs that are part of Sweden’s difficult history.
THE ROUTE
Back alleys, university buildings and the anatomical institution
The walk threads through Uppsala’s back alleys and around notable downtown buildings, including places tied to legalized prostitution and the university’s anatomical institution—sites that reveal how social control and science intersected here.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this walk suits — and who should consider carefully.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The experience runs for 90 minutes; check local weather and plan accordingly as the route is outdoors and moves through alleys and city streets.
The walk departs from Riddartorget on Biskopsgatan in central Uppsala—arrive a few minutes early to meet the authorized guide and begin on time.
The tour addresses sensitive historical subjects including institutional practices and social harms; participants should be prepared for sober, reflective interpretation.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts 90 minutes.
Where do we meet?
The meeting point is Riddartorget on Biskopsgatan in Uppsala.
What will we see and hear about?
You’ll walk through back alleys and around downtown buildings while hearing stories about liquor barons, 19th‑century prostitution, the black death, correction houses, and the Swedish Institute for Racial Biology including forced sterilization and lobotomy practices.
Is this suitable for children?
The tour is listed as All Ages, but it covers graphic and sensitive historical topics; guardians should decide whether the content is appropriate for their children.
Who leads the tour?
The walk is led by an authorized Uppsala city guide.
Is the route entirely outdoors?
The route moves outdoors through alleyways and among city buildings; expect outdoor walking for the full duration.