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Akershus Castle
Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. Its construction began under King Haakon V around the year 1299, after an attack by Norwegian nobles highlighted the need for stronger defenses. In the 17th century, King Christian IV had the castle remodeled into a magnificent Renaissance palace while the outer fortifications were modernized. The fortress has survived numerous sieges, primarily by Swedish troops, and was never captured militarily. Today, the castle is used for official state representation and houses the Royal Mausoleum, where several Norwegian monarchs are buried. The complex also includes the Norwegian Resistance Museum and the Armed Forces Museum, making it a central location for understanding national history.
- Location: Norway
- Top sights: Monument in memory of deported Norwegian Jews · Orlogsgast · Munks tårn
- Nearby: Fjellstrand (14 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -6 | -5 | -2 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 0 | -5 |
| Rain mm | 78 | 60 | 56 | 61 | 92 | 96 | 112 | 122 | 96 | 104 | 94 | 78 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Construction of the fortress likely began in the year 1299.
- King Christian IV remodeled the castle between 1588 and 1648.
- King Haakon VII and King Olav V are buried in the Royal Mausoleum.
- The fortress was occupied during World War II from 1940 to 1945.
- The complex covers an area of approximately 170,000 square meters.
- Akershus Fortress was never successfully besieged throughout its history.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Akershus Castle (10)
Akershus slottskirke
Church building in Oslo, Norway, located within Akershus fortress.
Akershus castle
Former medieval castle in Oslo, Norway, now a museum and event venue.
Defence Musuem🏛 museum
Military museum in Oslo, Norway, covering the history of the Norwegian armed forces.
Akershus fortress
Fortress in Oslo, Norway, with a long military history.
Retterstedet på Akershus festning
Former execution site in Oslo, Norway, at Akershus fortress.
Norway's Resistance Museum🏛 museum
World War II museum at Akershus Fortress, Oslo, about the Norwegian resistance.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is the castle used for today?
Is there a changing of the guard?
Are dogs allowed?
Does it cost to enter the grounds?
Where is the Royal Mausoleum?
Akershus Castle: where is it located?
Akershus Castle: what is there to see?
Akershus Castle: when is the best time to visit?
Akershus Castle: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
