Experience the History of Håkon's Hall – A Landmark of Norwegian Heritage!
Step into 750 years of history as you explore Håkon’s Hall, a site that has housed kings and queens, governors, and hardened prisoners. Discover the hall’s journey from its medieval grandeur as the royal court on Holmen, through centuries of decline, to its impressive restoration after World War II.
Historical Highlights:
- In the late 1000s, the first building on Holmen was the Christ Church, alongside a bishop’s residence and monastery
- In the early 1100s, a royal manor was built in wood, and in the 1200s, King Håkon Håkonsson reconstructed it in stone
- In 1270, King Magnus Lagabøte, Håkon’s son, built the sea-facing fortress Kastellet, now part of the Rosenkrantz Tower
- By the 1500s, the name Bergenhus was introduced when the royal estate was transformed into a military fortress
- After centuries of neglect and use as storage, restoration began in the 1800s. Following a devastating explosion in 1944, the buildings were restored to their current majestic appearance
Meeting point at the reception at the Håkon’s Hall.
The guided tour is in english and last 45 to 60 minutes.
Guided tour in English at 1:30 PM Monday–Sunday.
The English-language tour is cancelled on the following dates:
October: 15/10, 17/10, 21/10, 23/10, 25/10, 26/10, 31/10
November: 1/11, 14/11, 15/11, 16/11, 19/11, 20/11, 26/11
December: from 7/12 to 14/12, 16/12