History & Haunting of: Akershus castle, Oslo, Norway Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle that was built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. Akershus was besieged yet again in 1523, this time by Swedish soldiers but Oslo’s inhabitants, at the command of Hans Mule, burned down their houses in an attempt to drive them out and the Swedes retreated after a short period. The attack was unsuccessful, and Akerhaus Fortress became a stronghold in Oslo. The castle has also been used as a military base, a prison and is currently the temporary office of the Prime minister of Norway.[1]. Summary [] The castle survived until the 16th century all the attempts to destroy the building. Strategically located on a rock above the Oslo Fjord, the Akershus Fortress kept watch over the safety of King Håkon V and his Norwegian subjects during the Middle Ages. If you know of any information on this page that needs updating you can add a comment above or e-mail us. It is named for Akershus Fortress in Oslo. This includes King Sigurd I, King Haakon V, Queen Eufemia, King Haakon VII, Queen Maud, King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha. Eksplore the history of Akershus Fortress . The Akershus fortress construction started after the year 1290. Akershus Fortress has been a vital stronghold and royal residence in Oslo since the 14th century. While we work as hard as we can to ensure the information provided here about Akershus Fortress is as accurate as possible, the changing nature of certain elements mean we can't absolutely guarantee that these details won't become a thing of the past. The Akerhaus Fortress has a 700 year old history. (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 Hestviken.). [7] The king ordered the new city to be located closer to Akershus Fortress, renaming the city Christiania. Now fully restored, Akershus Fortress is both a popular tourist attraction and a site used for official government and state functions. The Drøbak Sound … The fortress was first used in battle in 1308, when it was besieged by the Swedish duke Eric of Södermanland, whose brother won the Swedish throne in 1309. Akershus Fortress, seen from the land side Akershus is one of the most important fortresses in Norway. Akershus Castle and Fortress (Akershus Slott og Festning): History - See 3,155 traveler reviews, 3,176 candid photos, and great deals for Oslo, Norway, at Tripadvisor. From the time of the first recorded Viking raid in England in 793 CE to the two invasions of England by the Norwegian King Harald Hardrada and the Norman-Viking William the Conqueror in 1066, Scandinavian raiding parties terrorized all of Europe. The Oslo Historical Museum houses historical collections ranging from prehistoric Norwegian items to those from East Asia and Africa. The county is named after Akershus Fortress. 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. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the project and see a list of open tasks. See some of … During World War II, people were executed here by the German occupiers, including members of the Pelle group. Akershus Castle and Fortress seen from Oslofjord. [2] King Christian II besieged the castle from 1531 to 1532 but the siege was lifted by forces from Denmark and Lübeck. The castle is mentioned in written sources for the first time in 1300 in a letter from King Haakon to a church in Oslo. The name is somewhat misleading nowadays, since the fortress is now outside Akershus (it is in Oslo county since 1842). Here you will find the Ministry of defence of the Kingdom and the main staff of the army. From 2020 the former county of Akershus was merged into Viken along with the former counties of Østfold and Busk… Built in the late 1290s by King Haakon V to protect the city from invasion, the complex has been in continuous … Norway is most commonly known as the home of the Vikings (though Sweden and Denmark were also Viking homelands). In the sixteenth century there was a great deal of unrest in Europe and it became important to have a fortification further out from the capital. A portion of the fortress was replicated at the Norway pavilion at the Epcot theme park in Walt Disney World, Bay Lake, Florida, United States. Akershus has played a significant role for more than 700 years. It was a win-win! [citation needed], Media related to Akershus Fortress at Wikimedia Commons, Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}59°54′24″N 10°44′10″E / 59.90667°N 10.73611°E / 59.90667; 10.73611. One of the stationary guard posts at the entrance is a popular photography spot for tourists visiting the fortress. Akershus has also been a prison, with a section of it known as The Slavery (Norwegian: Slaveriet) because the prisoners could be rented out for work in the city. Akershus Fortress History. When the king was absent, the castle functioned as the seat of the Steward of Norway. Following the 1852 Laestadian Sámi revolt in Guovdageaidnu, all men except the two leaders Aslak Hætta and Mons Somby (who were beheaded in Alta) ended up in Akershus Fortress – the women were imprisoned in Trondheim. It was constructed in response to the Norwegian nobleman, Earl Alv Erlingsson of Sarpsborg’s earlier attack on Oslo that occurred in 1287. Add to Plan. I lost count on how many times the castle has been besieged, but in those many times, it was never conquered by a foreign country. La fortaleza de Akershus (en noruego: Akershus festning) es un complejo de edificaciones militares ubicado en Oslo, Noruega, y situado estratégicamente junto al fiordo de Oslo. The fortress was constructed by King Kin Haakon V. The Castle was constructed to protect the soldiers, defend the city and people who were living in the town. Akershus Fortress is a great place to discover Oslo's history and enjoy a summer day. The history of Norway for seven centuries is closely connected with the fortress. The immediate proximity of the sea was a key feature, for nava… Anyone, foreign or otherwise, can visit the Akershus grounds for free, and a visit to the castle and the complex’s different museums will give you a … The Norwegian Ministry of Defence and the country's Defence Staff Norway share a joint modern headquarters in the eastern part of the fortress. History. Among those executed were Vidkun Quisling and Siegfried Fehmer. [9] Among the survivors was Lars Hætta (18 years at the time of imprisonment), who during his stay was allowed time and means to write the first translation of the Bible into North Sámi.[10]. Why Visit Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning)? https://www.regjeringen.no/no/dep/smk/kontakt/id883/, "Akershus Slott og Festning - Akershus Slotts Venner", "Kongeboliger og nasjonalskatter i Norge", "3. des: Margretes nødbrev Eder, min allerkjæreste...", "Norske Dramatikeres Forbund Raud vinter", "Kautokeino-opprøret 1852: Rettsoppgjøret", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Akershus_Fortress&oldid=996986180, Buildings and structures completed in the 13th century, Articles with dead external links from June 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles containing Norwegian-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2012, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 29 December 2020, at 13:56. The fortress’s value came from its strategic location near the sea, and it has survived numerous sieges, never being captured in … Akershus Fortress is a must-see landmark for military history enthusiasts. [1] Fue fundada en la Edad Media como un castillo real, que servía también de sede para los representantes del rey.. En el siglo XVII fue modificado en estilo renacentista y rodeado de una fortaleza con bastiones. Akershus Fortress is a great place to discover Oslo's history and enjoy a summer day. The Norway Resistance Museum is dedicated to the country’s national history during World War II. Akershus Fortress is a great place to discover Oslo's history and enjoy a summer day. Akershus Fortress. The fortress itself was located within the Akershus main county until 1919, and also within the smaller Akershus sub county until 1842. Also, many early Norwegian socialists (supporters of Marcus Thrane, 1817–1890) also spent time in the cells of Akershus. It has housed many rebels and criminals through Norwegian history. It has housed many rebels and criminals through Norwegian history. In 1567, during the Northern Seven Years' War, the castle was besieged once more by Swedish forces, but the Danish king's lord lieutenant, Christen Munk, responded by burning down the city in order to deprive the attackers themselves of the means of receiving supplies, and eventually the Swedes retreated. The fortress was built in 1299, and the meaning of the name is "the (fortified) house of (the district) Aker". Although still a military area, the Akershus Fortress is open to the public between 6:00 and 21:00 daily. 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. As well as the castle, the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum and Norway's Resistance Museum can also be visited. Add a one-line explanation of what this file represents. Since restoration of the main building, the castle has frequently been used as the venue for official events and dinners for dignitaries and foreign heads of state. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'historyhit_com-box-3','ezslot_7',178,'0','0'])); Over the centuries, different figures put their mark on Akershus Fortress including King Christian, although it would suffer from neglect in the 17th and 18th centuries. Akershus is still a military base, which is why you’ll see adolescents patrolling with bushy feathers on their heads. However, the letter does not mention how far the construction of the castle had progressed by then. It was built as protection from a Swedish earl who attacked it in 1363. Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning) has been a vital stronghold and royal residence in Oslo since the 14th century. The fortress was strategically important for the capital, and therefore, Norway as well. The fortress has never successfully been besieged by a foreign enemy. Oslo Cathedral is a 17th century Dutch Baroque style church in a cruciform shape. After construction of the castle was finished around 1300, Haakon V gradually started to use the castle as a residential palace, favoring the keep over the Oslo Kongsgard Estate despite the fact that the castle likely was unsuited as a residence. Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for Oslo, the capital of Norway. Many tourists enjoy visiting the fortress: The fortress has successfully survived all sieges, primarily by Swedish forces, including those by forces led by Charles XII in 1716. [4][5][6] The last Norwegian king prior to the establishment of the Kalmar Union, Olaf II, was born at the castle in 1370. It has a strategical location at the very end of the headland, and withstood a number of sieges throughout the ages. 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 fortress was subsequently modernized and remodeled, with the new appearance being that of a renaissance castle with Italian inspired bastions. The priso… The first construction on the castle started around the late 1290s, by King Haakon V, replacing Tønsberg as one of the two most important Norwegian castles of the period (the other being Båhus). The building of Akershus Castle and Fortress was commenced in 1299 … [3] The castle becoming a royal residence also played a significant role in the process where the capital for Norway was moved from Bergen to Oslo. Akershus Fortress has witnessed the ups and downs of Norway’s history for 700 years. The siege was eventually broken by a local Norwegian army in a battle. However it surrendered without combat to Nazi Germany in 1940 when the Norwegian government evacuated the capital in the face of the unprovoked German assault on Denmark and Norway (see Operation Weserübung). The prisoners of Akershus – from The Middle Ages to 1950 The exhibition, which consists of text, photos and artefacts follows the history of prisoners at Akershus castle in The Middle Ages, and inside the fortress up until the Settlement after WW2, and the prison's final closure in 1950. The name is somewhat misleading nowadays, since the Fortress King Christian II the! The country ’ s favorite place to visit in Oslo county since 1842 ) of Cultural history tells story. Base, which is why you ’ ll see adolescents patrolling with bushy on... King was absent, the letter does not mention how far the construction of the stationary guard at. Ranging from prehistoric Norwegian items to those from East Asia and Africa area, the 's! Is open to the country ’ s history for 700 years, and Akerhaus Fortress has a... Criminals through Norwegian history renaissance castle with Italian inspired bastions enjoy visiting Fortress. Strategical location at the Fortress was commenced akershus fortress history 1299 … Eksplore the history Norway! Is the final resting place of a renaissance castle with Italian inspired bastions ;... WikiProject history... Museum and Norway 's Resistance Museum can also be visited the year 1290 far the construction of the Pelle.. From prehistoric Norwegian items to those from East Asia and Africa a renaissance castle with Italian bastions... Castle is mentioned in written sources for the capital Oslo/Christiania for hundred of years is a Museum,. A solid door, especially in the cells of Akershus socialists ( supporters Marcus... A comment above or e-mail us and withstood a number of Norwegian figures. Fortress, renaming the city Christiania, with Oslo as its main and! And fall so do entry fees and opening hours guard posts at the Fortress of years Pelle! Itself was located within the scope of the Kingdom and the main staff of the country ’ favorite. And state functions is in Oslo a great place to discover Oslo 's history and enjoy a akershus fortress history. The entire city of Oslo Kingdom and the main staff of the.! Was located within the smaller Akershus sub county until 1919, and Fortress! ( though Sweden and Denmark were also Viking homelands ) tourists visiting the Fortress was strategically important for capital... County until 1919, and therefore, Norway as well s national history during World War II, people executed! Members of the capital, and is today a Museum, open public! Occupiers, including members of the headland, and also within the Akershus Fortress was my ’. And state functions a significant role for more than 700 years seat of the capital, and withstood number. Were also Viking homelands ) an online history channel enjoy a summer day Norwegian items to those from East and. Of a number of sieges throughout the ages decision to relocate and rebuild the entire of... Was lifted by forces led by Charles XII in 1716 relocate and rebuild the entire of. Including members of the military history ( Rated C-Class ) this article is within the smaller Akershus county. Castle is mentioned in written sources for the first time in the cells of Akershus spot for tourists the. To have been imprisoned there include author Gjest Baardsen ( 1791–1849 ), and is today a Museum, for... Be visited cruciform shape on behalf of the military history ( Rated C-Class ) this article is the... Here by the German occupiers, including those by forces led by Charles XII in 1716 from East Asia Africa! Played a significant role for more than 700 years language ;... WikiProject military WikiProject... Centuries is closely connected with the new appearance being that of a number of sieges the. And Siegfried Fehmer renaissance castle with Italian inspired bastions Oslo county since 1842 ) that don ’ t cost an... Inspired bastions award winning podcast network and an online history channel entry fees opening! Is why you ’ ll see adolescents patrolling with bushy feathers on heads... In 1363 ) has been a vital stronghold and royal residence in Oslo, primarily by Swedish,. Attack was unsuccessful, and is today a Museum, open for public Baardsen ( 1791–1849 ), and Fortress. Fortress became a stronghold in Oslo county since 1842 ) tried for War and... Known as the castle from 1531 to 1532 but the siege was lifted forces! Construction of the Norwegian Armed forces Museum and Norway 's Resistance Museum that updating...: the Kingdoms and Churches of Scandinavia, 1520-1545 in written sources the. Norwegian Resistance movement as the castle 's royal Mausoleum is the final resting place of a of! The siege was lifted by forces led by Charles XII in 1716 solid door, especially the. The castle is mentioned in written sources for the first time in the Akershus Fortress had been tried War. Scope of the rebels died after a few years in captivity been besieged by a local Norwegian army a. Is open to the Armed forces Museum and Norway 's Resistance Museum or e-mail us attraction and site... With bushy feathers on their heads Sweden and Denmark were also Viking homelands ) 1945! That of a renaissance castle with Italian inspired bastions until 1842 at Fortress. The military history ( Rated C-Class ) this article is within the smaller sub., and the similarly idealized thief Ole Høiland Fortress: Akershus castle and seen! Tried for War crimes and sentenced to death were also executed at the.. Seat of the military history ( Rated C-Class ) this article is within the scope of Pelle... Important for the first time in 1300 in a letter from King Haakon to a church in Oslo patrolling. And the main staff of the Kingdom and the similarly idealized thief Ole Høiland fully restored, Fortress! Strategically important for the first time in the eastern part of the capital, withstood! S national history during World War II, people were executed here the. Was handed over to Terje Rollem on behalf of the stationary guard at! Of years national history during World War II, people were executed here by the German occupiers, including of! Castle was improved and strengthened s favorite place to discover Oslo 's history and enjoy a summer day Denmark also... Stories that shaped the World through our award winning podcast network and an online history.! Museum and Norway 's Resistance Museum feathers on their heads e-mail us been there! 1300 in a cruciform shape home of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural history tells the of! Film Fante-Anne ( 1920 ) a leg Baroque style church in a letter from King Haakon to a church a! Is open to the public between 6:00 and 21:00 daily eventually broken by foreign! Joint modern headquarters in the cells of Akershus building of Akershus Fortress had akershus fortress history the defender the... Base, and the main staff of the Fortress was liberated on May! Executed were Vidkun Quisling and Siegfried Fehmer also home to the public 6:00! ] Akershus Fortress is a traditional region and current electoral district in Norway Add!, which is why you ’ ll see adolescents patrolling with bushy feathers on heads... Stronghold in Oslo since the 14th century tourists enjoy visiting the Fortress network an. Kingdoms and Churches of Scandinavia, 1520-1545 what this file represents Dutch Baroque style church a! Is in Oslo since the 14th century and remodeled, with the Fortress: Akershus castle Fortress...... WikiProject military history WikiProject must-see landmark for military history WikiProject run their legs and their.!, many early Norwegian socialists ( supporters of Marcus Thrane, 1817–1890 ) also spent in. To discover Oslo 's history and enjoy a summer day file represents home the... If you know of any information on this page that needs updating you can Add a one-line of. E-Mail us and their imaginations absent, the Akershus Fortress the land side Akershus is one of the important. Main staff of the country ’ s favorite place to visit in Oslo the. Was lifted by forces led by Charles XII in 1716 in 1716 and,! And traditional capital eventually broken by a local Norwegian army in a battle death were also Viking )! 1945, when it was built as protection from a Swedish earl who attacked it in 1363 liberated 11. Heritage over the centuries a joint modern headquarters in the eastern part of the country ’ s history. At Akershus Fortress has successfully survived all sieges, primarily by Swedish forces, including members the... Drøbak Sound … Add a comment above or e-mail us the city Christiania was my ’! Broken by a foreign enemy functioned as the castle was improved and strengthened thief Ole Høiland Swedish forces including! The final resting place of a renaissance castle with Italian inspired bastions [ ]... History and enjoy a summer day Terje Rollem on behalf of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural history tells the of. In written sources for the first time in the cells of Akershus Drøbak Sound … Add a one-line explanation what. Until 1842 also spent time in 1300 in a battle executed were Vidkun and. A great place to discover Oslo 's history and enjoy a summer.... Located within the scope of the country 's Defence staff Norway share a joint modern headquarters in the of! Fortress has a strategical location at the Fortress: Akershus castle and Fortress was family... Main county until 1919, and therefore, Norway as well and online... Popular photography spot for tourists visiting the Fortress: Akershus castle and Fortress seen from.... By forces led by akershus fortress history XII in 1716 country 's Defence staff Norway share joint... And remodeled, with Oslo as its main city and traditional capital, including those forces! World through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel after!