The castle has also been used as a military base, a prison and government offices. Akershus fortress akershus festning has been a vital stronghold and royal residence in oslo since the 14th century. Oslo and akershus make up one contiguous metropolitan area with 25 % of norways population and the visitor can regard it as one city. 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. The whole complex is often regarded as one of the most spectacular sights in scandinavia. Rome2rio makes travelling from oslo airport osl to akershus fortress easy. Anyone, foreign or otherwise, can visit the akershus grounds for free, and a visit to the castle and the complexs different museums will give you a thorough insight into norways interesting history. You can easily spend a leisurely day seeing the sights and exploring what this neighborhood has to offer. Sep 25, 2012 oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums.
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. Photo 6 by by sjwmobilea room inside akershus fortress photo 7by. Akershus 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. 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. 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. Akershus fortress is situated in the centre of oslo, and with its. A number of norwegian royal families are buried here. Akershus castle and fortress, oslo ticket price timings. It is the largest cultural building constructed in norway since nidarosdomen was completed circa 0. 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. It has served as a prison during the late 18th19th centuries, with many prisoners dying during their imprisonment.
A brief history of akershus festning, oslos medieval fortress. The building of akershus castle and fortress was commenced in 1299 under king hakon v. Akershus is a medieval castle and a fortress, commissioned by king haakon v, which was built in order to protect the capital. The castle was constructed in the th century as a medieval stronghold by king hakon v. The county administration is in oslo, which is not part of the county per. Akershus slott is a medieval castle in the norwegian capital oslo that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city. Akershus fortress, oslo, norway tourist information. Akershus fortress is a great place to discover oslos history and enjoy a summer day. Oct 25, 2015 akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning. Sep 03, 2019 admission is nok 50 or free with an oslo pass. Since the middle ages the building was the seat of the rulers of norway. There are 8 ways to get from oslo airport osl to akershus fortress by train, bus, taxi, car, towncar or shuttle. However, they were spotted on the roof of the oslo. If you are interested there is a daily changing of the guards at.
Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. Find the perfect akershus fortress oslo norway stock photo. Akershus fortress is just next to the akershus pier. Find all the transport options for your trip from oslo airport osl. In a grassy square on the property is a plaque recalling several executions that took place here by the nazis in world war ii. Akershus castle aka akershus fortress or akershus festning in norwegian is a medieval castle situated in oslo, the capital of norway.
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. Hotels near akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning. Lillestroms bicycle hotel is an architectural gem as bike hotels are added to a number of norwegian train stations, one of them is raising eyebrows for all the right reasons. Even if you dont go inside, the grounds offer a great view of oslos harbor. Akershus slott is a medieval castle that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for oslo, the capital of norway. According to tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning. 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. Visiting akershus fortress akershus festning in oslo, norway. Akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning.
Photo 8 the new statue of max manus is now in place at the akershus fortress and castle in oslo. 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. Akershus fortress or castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect oslo, the capital of norway. Later the castle was converted into a renaissance castle and the fortifications were extended. 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. Views and news max manus, a legendary leader of the resistance forces who officially kept serving for king haakon throughout the german occupation. 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. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Apr 29, 2015 akershus fortress and castle oslo oslo tourist channel. No trip to norway would be complete without visiting at least one of the many museums and exhibits dedicated to the.
Exploring oslo, the historic and medieval akershus. Akershus, with a little over 614,000 inhabitants, is the second most populated county by population after oslo. Akershus fortress akershus castle and fortress akershus. Akershus is a county in east norway, west and east of the capital, oslo. Exploring oslo, the historic and medieval akershus fortress. Aker brygge and university of oslo are also within 3 mi 5 km. 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. Throughout its history it has had great strategic and symbolic value for oslo and norway. Oslo central station is only a 2minute walk and jernbanetorget tstation is 2 minutes. It has been renovated a couple of times during history, the latest renovation work started in 1889. Construction it is not known exactly when the construction of the castle. Take a look at our detailed itineraries, guides and maps to help you plan your trip to oslo. The fortress built during the 0s is today a major tourist attraction. Exploring an underwater tunnel at akershus fortress.
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 fortress has witnessed the ups and downs of norways history for 700 years. Akershus fortress is still a military area, but it is open daily to the public until 21. 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. Later in 2016, arnar snorrason came in contact with tom andersen after an excursion to the fortress by oslo fire department. If youd like to find things to do in the area, you may want to check out oslo opera house and aker brygge. Akershus fortress and castle oslo oslo tourist channel. The mix of a capital city vibe and stunning nature makes oslo a cosmopolitan seaside city. Akershus fortress, 0150 oslo, norway akershus castle and fortress contact number. 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. View all hotels near akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning on tripadvisor. The medieval castle, which was completed in the 0s, had a strategical location at the very end of the headland, and. Akershus, norway surrounds oslo attractions, activities. The building of akershus castle and fortress commenced in the late 1290s under king haakon v.
The 10 best hotels near akershus fortress in oslo, norway. Preserved 9thcentury viking ships are displayed at oslos viking ship museum. 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. 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. The hotel has a 24hour reception and rooms with free wifi. Changing of the guard at akershus fortress in oslo. 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. Akershus fortress in oslo norway akershus is a castle built in the late th century as a defensive fortress of oslo. Akershus festning oslo, norway attractions lonely planet. Akershus castle aka akershus fortress or akershus festning in norwegian is a medieval castle situated in oslo, the capital of norway akershus fortress history.
Book your tickets online for akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning, oslo. 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. Akershus fortress in oslo and oscarsborg fortress in drobak are amongst the most popular ones. Visit akershus fortress in oslo norway firebird tours. 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. Built around 0, akershus fortress aka akershus castle is a medieval castle that served as a defensive stronghold for the city of oslo. May 02, 2020 akershus fortress is a great place to discover oslos history and enjoy a summer day.
Akershus fortress is a medieval castle situated in oslo city centre. Akershus fortress oslo akershus festning, 0015 oslo. Numerous museums and actvities, exciting boroughs, historical sites, worldrenowned attractions and a thriving culinary scene offer plenty. What was once also used as a prison, still remains a military area today, but several rooms, mausoleum and a museum can be visited. Akershus fortress is a great place to discover oslo s history and enjoy a summer day. Akershus fortress fortress in oslo thousand wonders. Nov 07, 2016 later in 2016, arnar snorrason came in contact with tom andersen after an excursion to the fortress by oslo fire department. 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. This lead to a project about exploring the rumors about the escape tunnel. You can also take the subway at the nationaltheatret station. Akershus fortress or akershus castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect oslo, the capital 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. 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.
Located in oslo city centre, this hotel is within a 10minute walk of oslofjord, oslo opera house, and oslo spektrum. Bergen, with colorful wooden houses, is the starting. From here, the fortress is a 10 minutes walk away, towards the city hall. The building of akershus castle and the fortress began in. Oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums. Oslo airport osl to akershus fortress 7 ways to travel.