August 14...(Day 22)...Linné Garden and Museum Street Sign in Uppsala, Sweden

We traveled by train, north to Uppsala, from Stockholm. It seemed like quite the oxymoron to have such a dirty street sign next to this lovely garden and museum. I had come across the Atlantic Ocean to see this place, and if I had been taller I'd have cleaned off the sign and made it sparkle. This place was the home and educational facility of one of the finest scientists in the world, Carl von Linné, AKA Carl Linnaeus, father of the modern system of taxonomy.

Linnaeus Garden and Museum Information: I had been looking forward to this day of the trip for a year! To be able to walk through Linnaeus' house, see the tools of his trade, and view his gardens was high on my list of reasons to visit Sweden. (Please click on the picture to read the sign in more detail, then click the "back" arrow to return to the blog).

Carl von Linné: Carl Linnaeus, AKA Laurie's Hero...What can I say, I am in awe of Carl von Linné. The man was a genius and created our modern classification system. He was a physician, a botanist, a geologist, and a natural historian all rolled into one. The Queen of Sweden did not feel that her days were complete without having a conversation with Carl von Linné. He was beloved by the citizens, his students, and royalty. AWESOME!

The Linné Home: This house was built in 1693, and was Linné's home from 1743 to 1778. Since 1937, the building has housed the Linnaeus Museum, managed by the Swedish Linnaeus Society. I was not allowed to take any photos (my backpack was stored until I was done touring the house) because all of the contents were original to the house. I was able to see Linne's original microscopes, magnifying glass, journals, collecting jars, etc.

Here are some Carl von Linné facts: "The museum holds collections illustrating the scientific achievements of Linné. He studied abroad, as well as in Sweden. He corresponded with natural scientists throughout the world, and collected plant and animal specimens from all over the Earth. He named them according to his system of nomenclature. During his lifetime he gave almost 12,000 plants and animals their scientific names. His binary nomenclature has been used for 250 years all over the world. His legacy is in the everyday names of the flowers we plant in our gardens. He is Sweden's internationally most famous scientist". I must say that this was truly a highlight of my trip to Sweden, and I thank my hosts for making sure that I was able to visit this museum.

Carl von Linné and Sarah Morea: Painting of Linné and his wife, Sarah. The downstairs portion of the house was used for entertainment, while the upstairs portion of the house was used by Linné for his scientific endeavors.

Linnaeus Garden Courtyard: These trees were planted by Carl von Linné in the mid-1700s. Also known as Carl Linnaeus, he was the most beloved and revered Swedish scientist of his time.

The Orangery: The Orangery (built in the 1740's) originally had 3 greenhouses which were a critical part of the botanical garden in Linnaeus' time. They were eventually removed, and the space for them was used for other purposes. Amanda is walking near the lake pond in the foreground. It was a drizzly day.

Linné Garden viewed from the Orangery: The lake pond, in the foreground, housed plants found in lakes. In the background you see two gardens surrounded by hedges. The left-hand garden is the annual garden, while the right-hand garden is the perennial garden. The Linnaeus garden, the oldest academy garden in Sweden, was designed by Olof Rudbeck the Elder in 1655. Rudbeck was a botanist, inventor, architect, and professor of medicine and history.

Linné's Annual Garden Sign: The annual flower garden had many species grown in rows with identification signs (in Linnaeus' own handwriting).

Rudbeckia sign: Linnaeus named this North American flower after his mentor, Olof Rudbeck the Younger.

Rudbeckia Flower: This biennial is found in Linné's annual flower garden. Linnaeus once write, "The Creator has wrapped the whole World in a tapestry of flowers and then put man inside, to strut around in, live, and take pleasure in."

Linné's Perennial Garden Sign: Linnaeus had a perennial garden which he used as a teaching tool for university students.

Horsetail Identification Sign: All of the identification signs in the garden are reproduced in Linné's handwriting.

 Horsetail Plants: These plants are part of the perennial garden. They have been used to scour pots and pans because the joints are made of tiny glass spicules.

Uppsala Cathedral front entrance: The construction of this massive cathedral was begun in the mid-13th century (mid-1200s), and was not completed until 1435. It was last restored in 1971-1976. It is built in the shape of a cross, with an external length of 118.7 meters (356 feet). The inside ceiling height is 27 meters (81 feet). I must say that my main reason for visiting this cathedral was that Carl von Linné was buried here.

Uppsala Cathedral: This cathedral is so huge that I could not get it all in one shot. The twin spires are 390 feet tall. Incredible!

Inside the Uppsala Cathedral: This is the largest cathedral in the Nordic region. It is incredibly impressive and totally awe inspiring. I was standing near Linnaeus' gravestone when taking this photo.

Carl von Linné gravestone: Carl von Linné and his family are buried inside the Domkyrkan (the Uppsala Cathedral). Many other famous Swedes are buried here as well. Linnaeus was highly revered by virtually all who were privaleged to meet him.

Carl von Linné Monument: There is a saying about Linnaeus that says, "God created, Linné organized." How appropriate that a monument should be erected in this lovely cathedral which was built to celebrate the life and death of the Creator whom Linnaeus made reference to in many of his writings.

Carl von Linné Chapel: This chapel and monument was erected by Linnaeus' followers.