Sverresborg Castle in Bergen
The Sverresborg Bergenhus Castle is a medieval fortress located in the city of Bergen, Norway. It was constructed and built in the 13th century AD, completed in 1261. The fortress is one of the oldest and best preserved architectural masterpieces in Norway. The location of the fortress was excellently planned to make it difficult to attack by invaders and defend efficiently even with a small force.
The fortress building has three floors with rooms and dungeons, and a huge hall built by the king Haakon. The castle is open to the public, and the grounds are used for recreational purposes that include exhibitions and other cultural events.
HISTORY OF THE BERGENHUS CASTLE (NORWAY)
The castle of Berghenus has buildings dating back to the 12th century (before 1140's). In the fortress, the royal hall known as the Haakon's hall is the largest medieval structure in Norway, however, no written records of hall construction are in existence today. The castle lost its defense fortification in the 19th century and was taken over by the military forces for administrative purposes. The fortress has been attacked and destroyed several times by invaders and wild fires. In 1840, the fortress was proven to be the old feast hall of the king Hakon Hakonsson, who reigned from 1217 to 1263. The hall is used for concerts and other singing performances today. The German army is believed to have used the parts of the fortress as their headquarters during the World War II.
The fortress is currently under control by the Royal Norwegian Army.
WHAT THE TOURS OFFER
The amazing castle has several medieval buildings which you would get to see on a tour to Bergen. The most prominent buildings you would not miss to see are the Haakon's Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower, both located inside the fortress. The castle is known to be made of stone.
The Haakon's hall is a Gothic-styled stone hall constructed inside the fortress during the mid 13th century and is believed to be the replacement of the wooden structures at the site. It is believed to be designed by English architects under King Henry III of England.
The Rosenkrantz tower is a medieval structure named after the castle governor Erik Rosenkrantz. The tower had several dungeons and also residential rooms for the governor. The tower is open for the public since the year 1966 and is a good tourist attraction.
ADMISSION FEES TO THE CASTLE BUILDINGS (HAAKON'S HALL AND ROSENKRANTZ TOWER)
Children get free entry.
Adults Admission Fees: 8€
Student Admission Fees: 4€
OPENING DAYS AND TIMINGS OF FORTRESS (current year)
The castle buildings are open to the public throughout the year in the following schedule as of this travel season:
19th April- 30th April (Monday-Sunday)---12:00-15:00
02nd May- 14th May (Monday-Sunday)---12:00-15:00
15th May- 16th May (Friday-Saturday)--- 10:00-16:00
18th May- 26th May (Monday-Sunday)--- 10:00-16:00
11th June- 13th June (Thursday-Saturday)---10:00-16:00
15th June- 15th September (Monday-Sunday)---10:00-16:00
16th September- 21st December (Monday-Sunday)---12:00-15:00
Rest of the days, the entry may be closed for the public. Subject to change by authorities.
HOW TO REACH THE CASTLE
1. Bus Travel: You can take a luxury express bus to Bergen at a low price. The route is from Sandnes to Stavanger to Haugesund to Bergen. The approximate duration of the journey is 4 to 5 hours. The tour package would include the travel cost, if you prefer. Shuttle buses also operate from the city airport.
2. Train Travel: From Oslo, you can take a train to Bergen operated by Norwegian State Railways. The duration of the journey would be around 7 hours. Buses available to castle.
3. Car Travel: You can take the car from Oslo to Bergen. The route will be Oslo-Gol-Eidfjord-Bergen. Ferry services available at Bruravik. The distance would be around 478 kilometers.
ADDRESS OF THE CASTLE
Bergenhus Festning, Vagen, 5003 (Norway)
The fortress building has three floors with rooms and dungeons, and a huge hall built by the king Haakon. The castle is open to the public, and the grounds are used for recreational purposes that include exhibitions and other cultural events.
HISTORY OF THE BERGENHUS CASTLE (NORWAY)
The castle of Berghenus has buildings dating back to the 12th century (before 1140's). In the fortress, the royal hall known as the Haakon's hall is the largest medieval structure in Norway, however, no written records of hall construction are in existence today. The castle lost its defense fortification in the 19th century and was taken over by the military forces for administrative purposes. The fortress has been attacked and destroyed several times by invaders and wild fires. In 1840, the fortress was proven to be the old feast hall of the king Hakon Hakonsson, who reigned from 1217 to 1263. The hall is used for concerts and other singing performances today. The German army is believed to have used the parts of the fortress as their headquarters during the World War II.
The fortress is currently under control by the Royal Norwegian Army.
WHAT THE TOURS OFFER
The amazing castle has several medieval buildings which you would get to see on a tour to Bergen. The most prominent buildings you would not miss to see are the Haakon's Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower, both located inside the fortress. The castle is known to be made of stone.
The Haakon's hall is a Gothic-styled stone hall constructed inside the fortress during the mid 13th century and is believed to be the replacement of the wooden structures at the site. It is believed to be designed by English architects under King Henry III of England.
The Rosenkrantz tower is a medieval structure named after the castle governor Erik Rosenkrantz. The tower had several dungeons and also residential rooms for the governor. The tower is open for the public since the year 1966 and is a good tourist attraction.
ADMISSION FEES TO THE CASTLE BUILDINGS (HAAKON'S HALL AND ROSENKRANTZ TOWER)
Children get free entry.
Adults Admission Fees: 8€
Student Admission Fees: 4€
OPENING DAYS AND TIMINGS OF FORTRESS (current year)
The castle buildings are open to the public throughout the year in the following schedule as of this travel season:
19th April- 30th April (Monday-Sunday)---12:00-15:00
02nd May- 14th May (Monday-Sunday)---12:00-15:00
15th May- 16th May (Friday-Saturday)--- 10:00-16:00
18th May- 26th May (Monday-Sunday)--- 10:00-16:00
11th June- 13th June (Thursday-Saturday)---10:00-16:00
15th June- 15th September (Monday-Sunday)---10:00-16:00
16th September- 21st December (Monday-Sunday)---12:00-15:00
Rest of the days, the entry may be closed for the public. Subject to change by authorities.
HOW TO REACH THE CASTLE
1. Bus Travel: You can take a luxury express bus to Bergen at a low price. The route is from Sandnes to Stavanger to Haugesund to Bergen. The approximate duration of the journey is 4 to 5 hours. The tour package would include the travel cost, if you prefer. Shuttle buses also operate from the city airport.
2. Train Travel: From Oslo, you can take a train to Bergen operated by Norwegian State Railways. The duration of the journey would be around 7 hours. Buses available to castle.
3. Car Travel: You can take the car from Oslo to Bergen. The route will be Oslo-Gol-Eidfjord-Bergen. Ferry services available at Bruravik. The distance would be around 478 kilometers.
ADDRESS OF THE CASTLE
Bergenhus Festning, Vagen, 5003 (Norway)
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