Akershus slott og festning

About the museum

Construction of Akershus began around 1290, probably under King Håkon V Magnusson. He made the castle a royal residence when Oslo replaced Bergen as the kingdom's most important town. Throughout the Middle Ages the complex was extended with several towers, and it was first tested in an attack in 1308. Later the castle was besieged several times, but it was never taken by force by a foreign army.

In the 16th and 17th centuries the castle was rebuilt into a modern bastion fortress, particularly under Christian IV and the stattholder (governor) Hannibal Sehested. At the same time the castle was converted into a Renaissance palace. In 1624 the new town of Oslo was laid out beneath the fortress walls. After 1814 the complex gradually lost its role as a defensive work and was used, among other things, as a national prison, school and depot.

During the occupation of 1940–1945 the Germans used the fortress, and 42 Norwegian resistance members were executed here. After the war the fortress and the castle church were restored, and today the castle is used as the government's representative rooms. The castle also contains the royal mausoleum, the burial place of the royal family.

The fortress is protected and managed by Forsvarsbygg, while Forsvarshistorisk museum runs the castle and the Visitor Centre. The area is still military and is the main seat of the Armed Forces, but it is also a popular open space in central Oslo. The fortress also houses Forsvarsmuseet and Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum.

Highlights

• Fixed public route through the castle with dungeons, castle church and historic halls
• The royal mausoleum, the burial place of the royal family
• Emanuel Vigeland's rose window in the castle church
• The Visitor Centre with regular guided tours of the fortress grounds
• The country's best-preserved medieval fortress, with freely accessible fortress grounds

Founded

1290

Operated by

Forsvarshistorisk museum (slottet og Besøkssenteret); Forsvarsbygg (festningsområdet)

Admission & discounts

The fortress grounds have free admission. Oslo Pass, ICOM members, members of the Akershus Castle friends' association, Armed Forces personnel and veterans, and Oslo guides also have free admission to the castle. The audio guide is included in the ticket. Tickets for guided tours are sold only at the Visitor Centre.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Visitors with reduced mobility can contact the guard at the main gate in Kirkegata for parking.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The fortress grounds are a popular open space. The walls are high, so children should be closely supervised. School classes can book a guided tour.

Getting there & parking

The Visitor Centre is in the long red house by Karpedammen. The castle is at the top of the fortress, and the way there is signposted.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Castle shop and museum shop in the Visitor Centre. The restaurant Høymagasinet is located on the fortress grounds. The toilets on the inner fortress are open during the fortress's opening hours.

Events & venue rental

The castle church is used for services, weddings and concerts.

Plan your visit