Akershus castle and fortress, oslo ticket price timings. Including its history, oslo, the gol stave church, the royal palace, the akershus fortress, and more dummel, elizabeth on. The fortress remains undefeated since its construction in 1299, save when it peacefully surrendered to the nazis without combat in 1940, when the city was evacuated due to a german attack on denmark and norway. Despite its fairly compact size, oslo has lots to offer and provides the perfect setting for both exploring and relaxing. It became the most important royal palace during the reign of king haakon v in the late 1290s. About akershus fortress akershus fortress akershus festning has been a vital stronghold and royal residence in oslo since the 14th century.
Whatever time of year you choose to visit akershus fortress in oslo, its always a good idea to reserve a package deal. Akershus fortress is still a military area, but it is open daily to the public until 21. Akershus royal banquet hall walt disney world resort. Akershus fortress is a medieval castle situated in oslo city centre. The danish was married already as a 10 year old girl to the norwegian king haakon vi, and as a young queen, she lived at akershus castle. However, recent archaeological research revealed christian burials from before, indicating early urban settlement. It towers over the city high upon a hill offering the best views of the waterside city. Akershus castlefortress nova fairy tales personal guided tours. The 10 best hotels near akershus fortress in oslo, norway.
Akershus fortress the building of akershus castle and fortress akershus festning was commenced by the king haakon v in 1299. He started the construction of the akershus fortress. During warm weather, picnicking is allowed in the beautiful gardens. The fortress of akershus was built under king haakon v in 1299 as a medieval castle. The building of akershus castle and fortress was commenced in 1299 under king hakon v. The scandinavian town of oslo, norway, is the mysterious setting for the fictional novel, the snowman, by jo nesbo. Akershus castle today contains banquet halls,the royal mausoleum andthe governments reception rooms, and its small, historic church is the home of the royal sarcophagi. Mar 31, 2018 instead, he was arrested, tried, and executed by firing squad at the akershus fortress, which, in a delightful irony, now houses the aforementioned norway resistance museum. History buffs and those who enjoy discoveries from other eras will be delighted by the visit. Akershus castle and fortress in oslo a trip through the akershus castle is a trip through the history of norway. 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. We recommend booking akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Akershus fortress and castle historic private tour in oslo. Olso, norway and akershus castle travel thru history duration.
I came upon an astounding new theory that is incorporated into this book, but to tell you more would ruin the surprises. A brief history of akershus festning, oslos medieval fortress. I felt sorry for the poor guards who had to stand for hours at the entrance of the castle, rain or shine. The fortress has been at the center of the nations growth and development for 700 years, and it is now very popular as a culture arena. Akershus festning or akershus castle norwegian language. The popularity of the castle as a royal residence eventually lead to the capital being moved from bergen to. Several tours are offered, one around the history of the fortress on its 700 years of existence, the other centred on the use of it as a prison, which is a guaranteed thrill. The fortress was besieged every now and then in its history but never by a foreign enemy. 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 castlefortress nova fairy tales personal guided.
The scariest story settings in the world bookrags blog. The visitor centre also has a small sales shop where we sell warm beverages and books related to the history of akershus fortress. The castle was also home to many other royals, some of them significant figures in scandinavian history. It has a strategical location at the very end of the headland, and withstood a number of sieges throughout the ages. For the research, ellen kvestad, of the norwegian institute of public health, oslo, and akershus university hospital, akershus, norway, and colleagues analyzed data collected from 12,940 spouses, 27,607 parents and offspring and 11,498 siblings. This medieval castle is perfect for you to visit whenever you and your family find yourselves in oslo, norway. Akershus fortress is a great place to discover oslos history and enjoy a summer day. From here, the fortress is a 10 minutes walk away, towards the city hall. Akershus fortress is a mustsee landmark for military history enthusiasts. Nov 26, 2018 the history of the akershus fortress king hakon v used the castle as his residence.
Although the fortress was attacked many times during its long history, it was never successfully besieged. Akershus castle and fortress akershus slotts venner. Akershus has played a significant role for more than 700 years. Over the years it has served for military use and a prison. Refer to your specific dining plan for the number of entitlements require per person for this location. Norways capital, oslo, is an exciting and beautiful city with views over the oslo fjord and mountains surrounding it. A well balanced food and history tour with focus on the scandinavian kitchen. 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 main regions and which included most of eastern norway.
Speaking from the akershus fortress in oslo norway, new york times bestselling author james rollins talks about this lo. Each plan includes a specific number of meal credits and snacks you can redeem at select walt disney world dining locations. Nov 27, 2015 visiting akershus fortress akershus festning in oslo, norway duration. Akershus fortress or castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect oslo, the capital of norway. Akershus slott is a medieval castle in the norwegian capital oslo that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city. In just two months time, oslos distinguished akershus fortress will transform into a medieval festival reminiscent of the 14th century as thousands of history buffsand their knights and princesses in trainingparticipate in the oslo middelaldersfestival. This battle forms a major part of the plot of sigrid undsets historical novel in the wilderness, the third volume of her tetralogy the master of. From the middle ages to 1919 akershus was a fief and main county that included most of eastern norway. This lead to a project about exploring the rumors about the escape tunnel.
Also, if you book your akershus fortress vacation package in oslo with travelocity, youll get access to our best travel discounts. Segway and bike tours are a good way to see the castle and take in sights around oslo fjord, while hopon, hopoff bus tours allow you to visit at your own pace. It was built in order to protect the city from enemy attacks because the vicinity of the sea was of great importance to the majority. The fortress itself was located within akershus main county until 1919, and also within the smaller akershus sub county until 184. Akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning, oslo.
If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. We offer exciting and informative exhibitions on the history of akershus fortress and have scheduled guided tours all through the year. When you book a disney vacation, you may opt to purchase a vacation package that includes one of our disney dining plans. This battle forms a major part of the plot of sigrid undset s historical novel in the wilderness, the third volume of her tetralogy the master of. A quick history nibble of akershus fortress a medieval fortress built to protect the city in the late 1200s. The popularity of the castle as a royal residence eventually lead to the capital being moved from bergen to oslo. Nov 01, 2019 we enjoyed wandering around the fortress area but the castle and other buildings were closed and only opened for a few hours on the weekends. Akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning. 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 fortress fortress in oslo thousand wonders.
The horrific story follows detective harry holes race to catch a serial killer who stalked and murdered women who had extramarital affairs that resulted in children being born with hereditary illnesses. Overlooking oslo fjord in downtown oslo, akershus fortress which is composed of a medieval fortress and a renaissance castle has been a fixture in the city for more than 700 years. Nov 07, 2016 later in 2016, arnar snorrason came in contact with tom andersen after an excursion to the fortress by oslo fire department. Construction it is not known exactly when the construction of the castle. 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.
It is bordered by hedmark, oppland, buskerud, oslo and ostfold. Akershus khs is a county in norway, bordering hedmark, oppland, buskerud, oslo, and ostfold. Akershus festning oslo, norway attractions lonely planet. Throughout its history it has had great strategic and symbolic value for oslo and norway. 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. Akershus is one of the nineteen counties in norway. The first construction on the castle started around the late 1290s, by. Akershus fortress has witnessed the ups and downs of norways history for 700 years. Akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning is open. Akershus article about akershus by the free dictionary. Akershus fortress akershus festning has been a vital stronghold and royal residence in oslo since the 14th century. 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. Akershus slott is a medieval castle that was built to protect oslo, the capital of norway.
Dec 30, 2017 the fortress of akershus was built under king haakon v in 1299 as a medieval castle. Entrance to the castle is possible all year round, but because it is still actively used, during some periods it is closed during working days. Akershus is the second largest county in population after oslo. Book your tickets online for akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning, oslo. Akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning oslo. You can also take the subway at the nationaltheatret station. There are a number of norwegian armed forces museums located in the area that are educational and fun for any fan of history. 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.
It was built more than 700 years ago, a span of time that made the place a rich reservoir of norwegian history. Akershus slott is a medieval castle that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for oslo, the capital of norway. The legendary queen margrete founder of the kalmar union in 89 lived in the castle in medieval times. Originally constructed to defend the medieval town, akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning has since undergone several renovations and today stands as one of the citys symbols.
Akershus simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Pudelek, creative commons a visit in norway will not be complete without a tour of the akershus fortress, one of the countrys national symbols. Do you want to know the entry ticket price for akershus castle and fortress. Akershus is still a military base, which is why youll see adolescents patrolling with bushy feathers on their heads. Exploring an underwater tunnel at akershus fortress. Including its history, oslo, the gol stave church, the royal palace, the akershus fortress, and more. However, it surrendered without combat to nazi germany in 1940 when. Akershus fortress or akershus castle is a medieval castle in the norwegian capital oslo that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city. See all 44 akershus castle and fortress akershus slott og festning tours on tripadvisor. The castle has also been used as a military base, a prison and government offices. Akershus fortress location from the book the doomsday key by. Akershus fortress this impressive castle was first built in medieval times to act as a royal palace.
Visiting akershus fortress akershus festning in oslo, norway duration. A visit to akershus castle is a journey through the history of norway from the 0s to the present day. An oslo city break frozen, norse mythology, comic books. Akershus slott is also the resting place of several of norways royalty. Built in 1290, the castle boasts sturdy stone walls and fortifications that withstood 500 years of. At akershus and in it he imagines the castle inhabited by famous. Uncover the deep history behind akershus fortress and the royal palace in this threehour historical tour in oslo, while accompanied by a certified, expert guide. Akershus, with a little over 614,000 inhabitants, is the second most populated county by population after oslo. Built in the late 1290s by king haakon v to protect the city from invasion, the complex has been in continuous use ever since, including as a prison and military site. See some of oslos famous highlights and learn about their past. 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.
It has more than half a million people living in it. Discover ancient stories from norwegian history, and find out how people and events at akershus festning helped to shape oslo, norway and scandinavia. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. Akershus fortress location from the book the doomsday key. The fortress has been at the center of the nations growth and development for 700 years, and it is. Dec 25, 2011 speaking from the akershus fortress in oslo norway, new york times bestselling author james rollins talks about this lo. The building of akershus castle and fortress commenced in the late 1290s under king haakon v. National fortresses cultural arenas and recreational areas. Strategically located on a rock above the oslo fjord, the akershus fortress kept watch over the safety of king hakon v and his norwegian subjects during the middle ages. So a successful city today, but oslos history has had many ups and downs. Akershus castle and fortress is one of oslos top sites and many city tours include a stop at the imposing structure.
Hakon v 1299 19 was the first king to reside in the city permanently. Dahls book is admirably thorough, so most people will probably prefer the wikipedia summary of his life story to a 400page book elucidating the same. Akershus fortress discover some of oslos most important history at this medieval fortress and castle overlooking the citys fjord approach. Akershus castle, oslo, norway akershus fortress is a medieval castle that was built to protect oslo, the capital of norway.
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