Bergenhus Fortress & Haakon's Hall
Bergenhus festning / Håkonshallen
One of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved fortresses, with a 13th-century stone banquet hall built by King Haakon IV and the 16th-century Rosenkrantz Tower.
Bergenhus Fortress stands at the northern end of the harbour entrance beside Bryggen. In medieval times Bergen was the royal capital of Norway, and the royal residence was located here. The core is Haakon’s Hall, built around 1261 as the banquet hall of King Haakon IV. It is the largest surviving medieval secular building in Norway. Next to it, the Rosenkrantz Tower is a defensive tower built in the 16th century by a governor, and climbing to its top offers views over the harbour. The outer grounds are free to enter, while the hall and tower require tickets, which are run by the Bergen City Museum. It is about a 5-minute walk from Bryggen.
Opening hours
Grounds open all day; lobby and tower approx. 10:00–16:00 (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Bryggens Museum
- St Mary's Church (Mariakirken)
- Bryggen
- Bergen Fish Market
- Hanseatic Museum & Schøtstuene
- St. John's Church (Johanneskirken)
- KODE Art Museums
- Bergen Aquarium (Akvariet)