About the museum building

Gustavianum is Uppsala University's oldest preserved building. Built in the 1620s it housed lecture halls, libraries, student housing and student kitchens.

During the latter part of the 17th century, the building underwent a series of restorations, and under the leadership of Olof Rudbeck the Elder, an anatomical theater was added in the years 1662-1663.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the castle architect Carl Hårleman made changes to the interior and exterior. The current design of the entrance with an open stairwell that stretched over two floors dates from the 1840s. Gustavianum remained the university's main building until the new university building was completed in 1887.

In the early 1920s, Gustavianum was renovated again and a number of academic departments moved in. In 1935, Gustavianum was granted listed building status. Since 1997, Gustavianum has been a public museum where the university's rich cultural heritage collections are on public display in permanent and temporary exhibitions.

In autumn 2019, Gustavianum closed one again for extensive renovation. The main aim is to improve the climate for the exhibited objects as well as to increase the exhibition areas. The renovation is beeing carried out by the National Property Board (SFV) in close collaboration with Uppsala University. Gustavianum will reopen on June 24, 2024.