Akershus, a fortress in Norway: description and photo

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Akershus is a fortress in Oslo, Norway's main city. Initially, the building performed protective functions, but in the 17th century it was given more refined features characteristic of the Renaissance and the Renaissance. There was a wall all around. We will learn a lot of historical facts about this fortress later in the article.

History of this place

Akershus is a fortress in Norway, founded by Haakon the Holy, a famous king. The building is located on a cape, which is washed by the waters of Oslo Ford, thus divided into two bays. The Akers River flows nearby, the building on the banks of which is called the oldest in the city. It has been here since 1308.

For Scandinavia, it was a stronghold of strategic importance, contributing to the military power of the state. The legend says that the residence was founded by the king after the attack of Erlingsson Alf, who arrived from Sarpsborg in 1287. Akershus is a fortress (Norway), unique also in that before that in this country they were not engaged in building from stone and brick, so it was a significant step in the development of architecture. History is silent about when the foundation was laid. This happened approximately at the end of the thirteenth century.

Mentions

You can learn about this object from written sources created in 1300, namely from the message of Haakon, the king of these lands, to the church authorities in the capital. There, however, the information is also quite vague. It is impossible to understand at what stage the construction is, but the purpose for which Akershus was created, a fortress with great power and protective potential, is well clear.

She had to defend the city from external attacks, because in 1299 Oslo became the capital of the state. The preparations were just in time, as the city had to endure a siege in 1308, which it successfully overcame.

The Swedes, led by Erik Knutsson, were forced to retreat. In 1527, the building suffered a misfortune - it was engulfed in a fire and caused enormous damage. Rebuilt using stone brought from the island next door where the Cistercian abbey used to be.

Establishment of a settlement

Studying history, it is worth mentioning the moment when Christian IV, the king who ruled in 1624, ordered the foundation of a city near the walls of Akershus Castle. The fortress from a military post gradually began to turn into a residential area, where life was in full swing. The new settlement was named Christiania in honor of the ruler.

The construction was carried out at the beginning of the 17th century in the style of the Renaissance. Exploring this architectural monument, it is extremely interesting to look at the barracks, the creation of which dates back to 1747-1778, as well as the bastion in the inner part of the complex. Later there wereadjustment.

The 18th and 19th centuries were in decline as the place was used as a prison, so there was little concern for its beauty and grace. Lofthus Christian was imprisoned here between 1787-1797 and was called a prisoner of conscience.

Fortress Upgrade

Major restoration of the building was carried out at the beginning of the 19th century. After the modifications, receptions for government officials began to be carried out here. Akershus is a fortress whose image has changed significantly thanks to P. Blix, who became the creator of the renovation project developed in 1896.

In 1897, the plan was approved and granted a grant for its implementation by the Parliament of Norway. At the beginning of the 20th century, a museum complex began its work here. Restoration did not stop until 1976. The finishing touch was the renovated Olava Hall, where events on official occasions are still held today.

Inaccessible Power

The unique feature of this structure is that no enemy has ever managed to bend it to their will. The siege always ended with a retreat. The only surrender occurred in 1940, when the Germans approached the walls.

There was no battle, so there was no real chance to test the power of the structure. Then the Oslo government voluntarily left the city.

Akershus is a fortress, the description of which inspires true respect and admiration for the military power of the building. While the settlement was occupied, the Gestapo met here, wheresometimes executions were carried out. The German authorities left this place in May 1945, when Norway regained control of it. After that, 8 people who aided the Nazis were put to death here.

In 1945, the traitor Quisling Vidkun met his death within these walls. In 1989, John Paul II, who at that time held the post of Pope, came here to serve Mass on the square. This event was the first in history when the ruler of the Catholic world came to this state. Within the walls of the castle chapel there are burial places of the monarchs who once ruled the country.

Worth seeing

Inside the building there is a bastion where you can visit a number of interesting museums that can expand your horizons and historical knowledge. For starters, the Akershus (fortress) itself is an architectural monument. Photos of the building are able to show how many curious elements are here, which, of course, are better to look at live. Then the impressions will be even more vivid.

You can quite freely look at the old-style guns and cannons standing on the street. Sentinels, who are drilled on the territory of the complex, have an ancient form. Some places are closed, but the main part of the territory is available for free.

It will be interesting to go to the museum, which tells a lot about the prison history of this building. There is a separate building under it. There is also information about the entire fortification, the stages of its construction and development up to the Second World War. To get here, you need topay for entry. You can roam freely around the castle, which is extremely pleasing to curious tourists. There are chic banquet halls, formal residences, jail cells.

Memory of battle skirmishes

A separate exposition is devoted to weapons used to resist the Nazis during World War II. There are documents here that were used in combat from the Viking era until the 20th century.

There is also an exhibition outside the bastion inside the fortress, dedicated to the history of military events that took place on this territory. Today, the place has not lost its significance for the armed forces, as the Norwegian state headquarters is located here, as well as the Ministry of Defense.

Where to go and where to stay

You can get to the territory of the complex from 10 am to 4 pm. A ticket for an adult costs 65 kroons, for a pensioner or student - 45, for a child aged 6 to 18 years - 25. Akershus (fortress) is open every day. Where is this building located? The official address is Akershus festning. Accessible by public transport, get off at Wessels plass.

For such a trip you will need to spend 26 crowns in case of pre-purchasing a ticket. If it is purchased from the driver, you need to spend 40 crowns. Visitors usually have a wide choice of accommodation, as there are more than 50 hotels in Oslo.

There is no rating scale for apartments in this city, so for comparison it is worth onlyto say that the service here is excellent and the atmosphere is pleasant. This state is widely famous for its developed infrastructure and good living conditions, so you will start to relax before you get to the fortress. And when you find yourself there, you will get a huge amount of positive impressions, learn a lot of new things, please your imagination with the scale and beauty of architecture.

Today, Akershus Fortress (Oslo) includes several buildings belonging to the garrison. Also here is the headquarters for the military affairs of Norway, the Ministry of Defense. There are powerful cannons, whose muzzles are aimed at the Oslo Fjord, museums in two buildings.

All this is waiting for you. Treat yourself to an exciting journey into the mysterious world of the Middle Ages.