Akershus Fortress
Akershus festning
A medieval castle and fortress built on a headland of the fjord in the late 13th century. It is still a military area. Its walls offer views over the fjord and City Hall, and it is home to the Norwegian Resistance Museum.
Akershus Fortress was begun around 1299 by King Haakon V of Norway to defend Oslo. It withstood many sieges and was never breached. In the 17th century, Christian IV rebuilt it as a Renaissance royal palace and rebuilt the city beside it. The fortress area is still under military administration, and the Ministry of Defence and several military units are based here, but most of the grounds are open to the public for free. You can stroll along the walls and bastions, looking out over the fjord, Aker Brygge and City Hall. It is a great place to view Oslo's harbor. Highlights include: the castle palace (paid entry), which houses a banquet hall, the castle church and the royal mausoleum, where Norwegian kings such as Haakon VII and Olav V are buried; the Norwegian Resistance Museum, which tells the story of the underground resistance during the German occupation from 1940 to 1945; and the Armed Forces Museum (free). The Royal Guard stands watch at the gate, and in summer there is often a changing of the guard at midday. After the Second World War, the collaborator Vidkun Quisling was executed here. It is about a 10-minute walk from City Hall.
Opening hours
Castle grounds approx. 06:00-21:00; opening hours of palace and museums vary by season (check website)
Nearby sights
- Oslo City Hall
- Nobel Peace Center
- Karl Johans gate & Royal Palace
- National Museum of Norway
- Aker Brygge
- Hovedøya
- Oslo Cathedral
- Ibsen Museum