Bergenhus sits at the entrance to Bergen harbour. It has been a seat of power since the 12th century, when Bergen was Norway's capital. The fortress grounds are open and free to walk around.
The two main buildings inside are Håkonshallen and Rosenkrantztårnet. Håkonshallen was built around 1260 under King Håkon Håkonsson as a royal banquet hall. It is the largest surviving medieval stone building in Norway. Rosenkrantztårnet dates from around 1270, originally a royal residence with a dungeon at the bottom and cannons on top. In the 1560s, governor Erik Rosenkrantz expanded it into the Renaissance tower you see today.
Both buildings were severely damaged on 20 April 1944 when a Dutch cargo ship loaded with 120 tonnes of explosives blew up at the nearby dock. The blast killed around 160 people, shattered windows across the city, and set Håkonshallen's wooden roof on fire. The upper floors of Rosenkrantztårnet collapsed entirely. Reconstruction took until the 1960s.
Both buildings can be visited for an entrance fee. Rosenkrantztårnet has narrow medieval staircases and good views from the top. Håkonshallen is still used for formal events.
The two main buildings inside are Håkonshallen and Rosenkrantztårnet. Håkonshallen was built around 1260 under King Håkon Håkonsson as a royal banquet hall. It is the largest surviving medieval stone building in Norway. Rosenkrantztårnet dates from around 1270, originally a royal residence with a dungeon at the bottom and cannons on top. In the 1560s, governor Erik Rosenkrantz expanded it into the Renaissance tower you see today.
Both buildings were severely damaged on 20 April 1944 when a Dutch cargo ship loaded with 120 tonnes of explosives blew up at the nearby dock. The blast killed around 160 people, shattered windows across the city, and set Håkonshallen's wooden roof on fire. The upper floors of Rosenkrantztårnet collapsed entirely. Reconstruction took until the 1960s.
Both buildings can be visited for an entrance fee. Rosenkrantztårnet has narrow medieval staircases and good views from the top. Håkonshallen is still used for formal events.