Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is the oldest in Scandinavia and one of the most prestigious in northern Europe, and its historic buildings are woven through the fabric of the city. The grand main university hall, the Universitetshuset, with its impressive assembly hall, and the surrounding academic quarter give Uppsala its distinctive scholarly atmosphere. Wandering among these dignified buildings, alive with students, offers a real sense of the learning and history that have shaped the city for over five centuries, and is central to understanding the character of Uppsala.