Akershus fortress is located in the city center by the oslo fjord and it is a great place to discover the capitals history and enjoy beautiful views. The first construction on the castle started around the late 1290s, by king haakon v, replacing tonsberg as one of the two most important norwegian castles of the period the other being bahus. Exploring oslo, the historic and medieval akershus. Akershus fortress akershus fortress, located in the city centre overlooking the oslo fjord, is a great place to take in wonderful views of oslo as well as the surrounding fjord. The building of akershus castle and fortress commenced in the late 1290s under king haakon v. Oslo and akershus make up one contiguous metropolitan area with 25 % of norways population and the visitor can regard it as one city. Akershus fortress is still a military area, but it is open daily to the public until 21. Exploring oslo, the historic and medieval akershus fortress. It has been renovated a couple of times during history, the latest renovation work started in 1889.
Since the middle ages the building was the seat of the rulers of norway. Over the years it has served as a fortress to protect oslo against sieges from rival swedish forces, as a renaissance castle, and as a fullfledged 19thcentury. You can easily spend a leisurely day seeing the sights and exploring what this neighborhood has to offer. The fortress built during the 0s is today a major tourist attraction. Later in 2016, arnar snorrason came in contact with tom andersen after an excursion to the fortress by oslo fire department.
View all hotels near akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning on tripadvisor. Bergen, with colorful wooden houses, is the starting. Photo 8 the new statue of max manus is now in place at the akershus fortress and castle in oslo. Akershus fortress in oslo norway akershus is a castle built in the late th century as a defensive fortress of oslo. Exploring an underwater tunnel at akershus fortress. Akershus akershus is a county in east norway, west and east of the capital, oslo. May 02, 2020 akershus fortress is a great place to discover oslos history and enjoy a summer day. However, they were spotted on the roof of the oslo. No trip to norway would be complete without visiting at least one of the many museums and exhibits dedicated to the. The whole complex is often regarded as one of the most spectacular sights in scandinavia. According to tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning. Built around 0, akershus fortress aka akershus castle is a medieval castle that served as a defensive stronghold for the city of oslo.
Nazis also occupied the castle during world war ii, carrying out many executions on the site. Akershus fortress oslo akershus festning, 0015 oslo. Set on the banks of oslo fjord, akershus castle akershus slottalso known as akershus fortress akershus festningwas built in 1299 as a residence for norways royal family. Akershus fortress is a medieval castle situated in oslo city centre.
A fortress, or festning, with thick earthandstone walls surrounds the castle, with protruding bastions designed to resist artillery bombardment. It is a medieval castle that was built in 1290 to protect oslo, for a certain period of time it was used as a prison as well. Also known as akershus castle akershus slott, it was begun in 1299 under king hakon v and would go on to play an important defensive role, surviving several sieges. The hotel has a 24hour reception and rooms with free wifi. The akershus fortress visitor centre, inside the main gate, has permanent exhibits recounting the history of the complex, as well as temporary exhibits highlighting aspects of oslos history. The 10 best hotels near akershus fortress in oslo, norway. Akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning. Since the middle ages the fortress was the namesake and centre of the main fief and later main county of akershus, which was originally one of norways four. Throughout its history it has had great strategic and symbolic value for oslo and norway. A number of norwegian royal families are buried here.
This lead to a project about exploring the rumors about the escape tunnel. Akershus fortress has witnessed the ups and downs of norways history for 700 years. Akershus castle today contains banquet halls, the royal mausoleum and the governments reception rooms, and its small, historic church is the home of the royal sarcophagi. Akershus castle aka akershus fortress or akershus festning in norwegian is a medieval castle situated in oslo, the capital of norway akershus fortress history. The akershus fortress visitor centre, inside the main gate, has permanent exhibits recounting the history of the complex, as well as temporary exhibits highlighting aspects of oslo s history. Akershus fortress and castle oslo oslo tourist channel. Oct 25, 2015 akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning. Later the castle was converted into a renaissance castle and the fortifications were extended. Akershus is a county in east norway, west and east of the capital, oslo. Akershus slott is a medieval castle in the norwegian capital oslo that was. Built in 1299 as per the order of king haakon v, akershus slott og festning is a medieval fortresscastle that also served as a prison at one point in time. Sep 25, 2012 oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums. Akershus is a medieval castle and a fortress, commissioned by king haakon v, which was built in order to protect the capital. Preserved 9thcentury viking ships are displayed at oslos viking ship museum.
Construction it is not known exactly when the construction of the castle. Akershus fortress is situated in oslo, on the eastern side of the oslo fjord on the akersnes peninsular. The castle has also been used as a military base, a prison and government offices. It has served as a prison during the late 18th19th centuries, with many prisoners dying during their imprisonment. Akershus, norway surrounds oslo attractions, activities. If youd like to find things to do in the area, you may want to check out oslo opera house and aker brygge. Apr 29, 2015 akershus fortress and castle oslo oslo tourist channel. Akershus slott is a medieval castle that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for oslo, the capital of norway. The mix of a capital city vibe and stunning nature makes oslo a cosmopolitan seaside city. Akershus fortress is a great place to discover oslos history and enjoy a summer day. Views and news max manus, a legendary leader of the resistance forces who officially kept serving for king haakon throughout the german occupation. Akershus castle and fortress, oslo ticket price timings. Changing of the guard at akershus fortress in oslo. Find the perfect akershus fortress oslo norway stock photo.
From here, the fortress is a 10 minutes walk away, towards the city hall. Oslo airport osl to akershus fortress 7 ways to travel. A brief history of akershus festning, oslos medieval fortress. There are 8 ways to get from oslo airport osl to akershus fortress by train, bus, taxi, car, towncar or shuttle. Visit akershus fortress in oslo norway firebird tours. T he akershus fortress was built in the late 1290s by king hakon v to ward off attacks from the norwegian nobleman, earl alv erlingsson of sarpsborg.
Numerous museums and actvities, exciting boroughs, historical sites, worldrenowned attractions and a thriving culinary scene offer plenty. Akershus, with a little over 614,000 inhabitants, is the second most populated county by population after oslo. Akershus slott is a medieval castle in the norwegian capital oslo that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city. The medieval castle, which was completed in the 0s, had a strategical location at the very end of the headland, and withstood a number of sieges throughout the ages. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Akershus fortress is just next to the akershus pier. Akershus fortress history t he akershus fortress was built in the late 1290s by king hakon v to ward off attacks from the norwegian nobleman, earl alv erlingsson of sarpsborg.
Akershus festning oslo, norway attractions lonely planet. In the archives of akershus fortress, there is a report that is presenting an examination that was published in the local newspaper in august 1864. The castle was constructed in the th century as a medieval stronghold by king hakon v. Located in oslo city centre, this hotel is within a 10minute walk of oslofjord, oslo opera house, and oslo spektrum.
Oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums. The medieval castle, which was completed in the 0s, had a strategical location at the very end of the headland, and withstood a number of. Rome2rio makes travelling from oslo airport osl to akershus fortress easy. Book your tickets online for akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning, oslo. In a grassy square on the property is a plaque recalling several executions that took place here by the nazis in world war ii. Aker brygge and university of oslo are also within 3 mi 5 km. Akershus fortress fortress in oslo thousand wonders. Sep 03, 2019 admission is nok 50 or free with an oslo pass. What was once also used as a prison, still remains a military area today, but several rooms, mausoleum and a museum can be visited. It has withstood fierce battles, drawnout sieges, and a few fires, and changed shape architecturally since king hakon v ordered it built in 1299, when oslo was named capital of norway. Akershus castle aka akershus fortress or akershus festning in norwegian is a medieval castle situated in oslo, the capital of norway.
Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. The county administration is in oslo, which is not part of the county per. Even if you dont go inside, the grounds offer a great view of oslos harbor. Nov 07, 2016 later in 2016, arnar snorrason came in contact with tom andersen after an excursion to the fortress by oslo fire department. Photo 6 by by sjwmobilea room inside akershus fortress photo 7by.
Akershus fortress, oslo, norway tourist information. If you are interested there is a daily changing of the guards at. Akershus fortress is a great place to discover oslo s history and enjoy a summer day. Oslo central station is only a 2minute walk and jernbanetorget tstation is 2 minutes. The building of akershus castle and fortress was commenced in 1299 under king hakon v. Calculate your route to and from akershus fortress, choose your restaurant or accomodation next to akershus fortress and check the online map of on viamichelin. Dating from 1299, this medieval castle and royal residence developed into a fortress in 1592 and was rebuilt into a renaissance castle between 1637 and 1648. Visitors can enjoy the unique experience of a brisk forest walk, the relaxing fjord breeze and the vibrant atmosphere of the city all in one day. Visiting akershus fortress akershus festning in oslo, norway. Akershus fortress is situated in the centre of oslo, and with its. Akershus fortress, 0150 oslo, norway akershus castle and fortress contact number. You can also take the subway at the nationaltheatret station. Akershus fortress or castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect oslo, the capital of norway. Due to its strategic location on the sea, the fortress was attacked and besieged several times, nevertheless, the attackers including the swedes never managed to get it.
Photo by david casteel how to get there the best way to get to the akershus fortress is by trams 10 or 12 to the christiania torv station. Take a look at our detailed itineraries, guides and maps to help you plan your trip to oslo. The medieval castle, which was completed in the 0s, had a strategical location at the very end of the headland, and. Akershus fortress in oslo and oscarsborg fortress in drobak are amongst the most popular ones. Akershus fortress akershus festning has been a vital stronghold and royal residence in oslo since the 14th century.