In the city of Uppsala, east-central Sweden

 "The longest journey is the journey inward." – Dag Hammarsköld

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(in east-central Sweden) The city of Uppsala, capital of the county of Uppsala, is located 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Stockholm. One of the oldest cities in Sweden, Uppsala has played a dominant role in the political and intellectual development of the country. Originally known as Östra Aros, it was founded as a trading post at the head of navigation on the Fyris River just a few miles from Gamla (Old) Uppsala, which was the political and religious hub of the ancient kingdom of Svea. By the 13th century the new Uppsala had become a royal residence and an important commercial center. The historical and spiritual heart of the country, Uppsala is one of Sweden’s oldest cities, dating back to the 3rd century. It's also one of the country's most dynamic centers, due in part to its student population. Quiet by day but not at night, its youthful buzz manifests most strikingly in the many laid-back boho-spirited cafes and bars. The city’s charm also lies in its stunning beauty, with the meandering Fyris River flowing through the center, flanked by pathways and still more cafes. History buffs have lots to absorb here, with Old Uppsala just up the road. (This fascinating archaeological site was once a 6th-century religious center where human sacrifices were made, as well as an ancient burial ground.)

+ Although it later lost its political primacy to Stockholm, Uppsala has remained a religious center as the seat of the archbishop of Sweden. The Gothic cathedral, the largest such structure in Sweden, dominates the city. Work began on this edifice in the late 13th century, though it wasn't consecrated until 1435. The cathedral was ravaged by fire several times but was eventually restored in the late 19th century. Opposite the cathedral is the Gustavianum (now the oldest standing building of Uppsala University), which dates back to a medieval archbishop’s residence. Parts of the original structures were incorporated into a building for Uppsala University in the 1620s, and it is now a museum of archaeology and cultural history.

+ With its many schools, Uppsala is also a seat of Swedish learning and culture. Prestigious Uppsala University is the country’s oldest, and the university’s library, the Carolina Rediviva, is one of the largest in Sweden. Other notable places in the city include a large castle that was begun by Gustav I Vasa in the mid-16th century and partly rebuilt in the 18th century. In 1654 it was the scene of Queen Christina’s abdication; it is now the governor’s residence. Additional points of interest in the city include the botanic garden and house of the botanist and explorer Carolus Linnaeus, and the Victoria Museum (containing Egyptian antiquities). With the emergence of the railway in the 1860s, Uppsala developed rapidly from a university town and agrarian-trade center to an industrial city. Today, the city is an important rail hub -- and a military center.