Bergenhus festningsmuseum

About the museum

Bergenhus festningsmuseum is located on Koengen by Bergenhus Fortress, in a former depot building. Work on a museum about the resistance movement during the Second World War began shortly after the war, but many attempts failed. In 1996 the fortress commander made the old depot available for museum purposes. Bergens Forsvarsforening (Bergen Defence Association) got the Storting (Norwegian parliament) to allocate funds, and the museum opened on 9 April 2006 with three exhibitions.

Today the museum has five permanent exhibitions. They deal with the resistance in the Bergen area 1940–1945, the censored and the illegal press during the occupation, the history of Bergenhus Fortress, women's contribution to the armed forces and Norwegian forces in international operations. The exhibitions are based on photographs, weapons, intelligence and sabotage equipment, film clips and interviews, and the texts are in Norwegian, English, French, Spanish and German.

The fortress has roots going back to the 12th century, when the royal manor was located here. Towards the end of the 17th century the defences were greatly expanded, and in 1944 large parts were damaged in an explosion accident before the fortress was rebuilt. The museum is run by Forsvarshistorisk museum (the Museum of Military History).

Highlights

• The resistance in the Bergen area 1940–1945
• The censored and the illegal press 1940–1945
• The history of Bergenhus Fortress, from royal manor to fortress
• Women's contribution to the armed forces
• Exhibition texts in five languages

Permanent exhibitions

• Motstandskampen i Bergensområdet 1940–1945 – On civilian and military resistance during the occupation, with photographs, weapons, intelligence and sabotage equipment, film clips and interviews.
• Den sensurerte pressen og den illegale pressen 1940–1945 – On the newspapers of Bergen during the war and the illegal press.
• Bergenhus festnings historie – The history of the fortress from the royal manor on Holmen to today's complex, including the battle in Bergen harbour in 1665 and the explosion in 1944.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Forsvarshistorisk museum

Admission & discounts

Free admission for children under 6, companions, defence personnel, veterans, members of friends' associations and holders of ICOM cards.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The museum is accessible for people with reduced mobility, with a wheelchair ramp, lift and accessible toilet (handikaptoalett).

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in building 21 at Bergenhus Fortress on Koengen, centrally in Bergen. By car you come from the north or south on County Road 585. The entrance is behind Thon Hotell Bergen Brygge.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit