Top 10 Castles to Visit in Norway

Top 10 Castles to Visit in Norway

Norway is a place that has layers of character both historical and architectural. Bearing scars from Scandinavian epics, fairytale castles, fortresses and manor houses stand as the true symbol of the courage and bold spirit of this country. A patter through the top ten castles to visit in Norway should make you properly acquainted with a history lesson dated as far back as the 12thcentury.

1. Akershus Castle

Ghirlandajo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is a medieval castle in the Norwegian capital Oslo that was initially built both as a fortress and a royal residence by King Håkon V in 1299.

The castle has a dynamic lifetime. It has been used as a military base, a prison and more recently the temporary office of the Prime minister of Norway.

While still a military area, the Akershus Fortress is accessible to the public between 6:00 and 21:00 daily. As well as the castle, giving you the historical lesson of Oslo.

2. Oscarshall

Oscarshall_2014 by Liv Ellen Osmundsen – Wikimedia Commons

As the name suggests, this castle was commissioned by King Oscar I and Queen Joséphine of Norway and Sweden as a Summer palace in 1852.

Located in the small fjord Frognerkilen on Bygdøy in Oslo, Norway, it is thought to be among the best epitome of neo-Gothic architecture in the country as well as one of the best examples of Norway’s National Romantic style. Guided tours to admire the opulent interior and royal collections are available during the Summer months.

3. Gamlehaugen Castle

Gamlehaugen By by Aqwis – Wikimedia commons

Built in 1901 in the style of a Scottish castle, Gamlehaugen Castle is located in Berge. It has housed many a Norwegian Royal Family. Although it has a history that goes way back to the middle ages, now its owned by Norwegian state

The palace has a picturesque classic fairytale castle feel with the Gardens of Gamlehaugen making it more gorgeous.

4. Sverresborg Castle Ruins

Sverresborg by Cato Edvardsen -Wikimedia Commons

King Sverre Sigurdsson commissioned the building of this fortress and residence in the medieval city of Nidaros later known as Trondheim. In its time it has been befallen by numerous battles to say the least,the castle fell to the Baglers and was ruined. Now, the castle forms part of the Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum, an open-air museum for the region of Trøndelag.

5.Båhus Fortress

Bohus_fästning By Idarvol de la Wikmedia commons

The Bohus Fortress started to be built in 1308 under the King of Norway, Haakon V Magnuson during the years 1299 to 1319. Located along the earlier Norwegian-Swedish border, where the Göta River splits into two.

Scenic as it is commanding the surrounding area from a cliff 40M high, still, the river forms a moat naturally around it.

Being an unused fortress It was decided that it would be demolished at the end of the 18th century. Now, the fortress has served as a museum since 2015 and is open during summer.

6. Steinvikholm Castle

Steinvikholm_slott By Erik Fløan Wikimedia commons

Natively known as Steinvikholm slott, this happens to be an island castle in Trøndelag county. It took seven years to arrive at its magnificence. The project to build it was begun in 1525 by Olav Engelbrektsson, Norway’s last Roman Catholic Archbishop who acted as both a noble and clerical leader.

It is famous for the Danish takeover of power and reformation from Catholic to Protestant faiths. However, today, an annual August midnight opera called Olav Engelbrektsson is held in this magnificent castle sitting on half an island. It is a lovely time to experience the life and struggles of the archbishop.

7. Kristiansten Fortress

Kristiansten Fortress by Hans-Petter Fjeld – Wikimedia Commons

Historically spelled Christiansten, this castle on the hill east of the city of Trondheim in Trøndelag county, was named after Christian V of Denmark-Norway.

For the purpose of protection of the city, it was built shortly after the great fire in 1681. The white spur fortress provides visitors with stunning views across the city towards the fjord and mountains from its summit location.

Decommissioned in 1816, take a history lesson through the dungeon followed by a visit to the museum to learn the role this fortress played in defending the city by the Swedes in 1718 and how it became a place of execution during WWII.it is a 17th century masterpiece.

8. Royal Palace of Oslo

Royal Palace of Oslo By Andreas Haldorsen -Wikimedia Commons

As whimsical as the name suggests, almost out of a fairytale, this palace is truly home to Norwegian Royal family today. Built as the Royal residence of King Charles XIV (King Karl Johan) in 1825 though not completed until after his death in 1849 by which time King Oscar I was on the throne, this castle has housed generations of royalty.

Living proof of Royal opulence in Oslo, a guided tour of the most opulent rooms including the King Haakon VIII Suite, the Cabinet Parlour, the Council Chamber, the Bird Room, Ballroom, Banqueting Hall and more are worth the visit.

9. Barony Rosendal

Barony Rosendal By Helt Wikimedia Commons

Another 17th century masterpiece located in Kvinnherad, Hordaland, was built in 1665 by Karen Mowat (the wealthiest heir of Norway) and Danish nobleman Ludvig Rosenkrantz.

Until 1927 the property was privately owned. The last owner then bequeathed it to the University of Oslo. The manor now functions as the Baroniet Rosendal museum.

10. Bergenhus Fortress

Buildings Bergenhus, Bergen Norway Photo: Nina Aldin Thune

This gothic-style 13th-century fortress is located in Bergen just at the entrance of  Bergen harbour and is one of the oldest and best-preserved stone fortifications in the country dating back to 1261. Said to be originally King Øystein’s estate on the island of Holme, the building includes constriction as recent as WWII. The 3-story Royal banqueting hall known as King Haakon’s Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower (restored in the 16th century) are the only fully surviving parts of this once-royal fortress. An exhibition of the ground’s open dawn-dusk gives details of the history of the castle along with the history of Bergen.