Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress is an ancient structure located in the capital of Norway, Oslo. The castle was founded by King Hakon V sometime in the 1290s. The fortress was built on a large scale, sparing neither money nor materials. Upon completion of the work, Akershus fortress has become the most powerful Norwegian structure.

There are several versions that reveal the mysteries of such a remote location of the fortress from the city, because ancient Oslo was located several bays and islands from the fortress. The first version is that the king was surrounded by conspirators who attempted to assassinate him, and in order to protect himself and his family, he decided to build a castle far from the city, but at the same time, keep it under control. The second option, which is more plausible– is to protect the capital from external enemies.

At that time, all Scandinavian buildings were built from wood and earth, and the Akershus fortress was the first stone building.

The fortress was first attacked in 1308 by the Swedish Duke Eric Knutsson, who later became King of Sweden. Until 1527, the fortress stood and performed all its direct duties, but the building burned to the ground from a lightning strike.

10 years later, a new castle was built using materials from the dismantled abbey on the neighboring island of Oslo, which had an even better view from the previous one.

In 1624, Oslo burned down in a fire, and by order of the king, construction of a new city began at the very walls of the fortress.

Akershus fortress withstood the most recent blockade in 1716. The barracks of the underground part of the castle began to be used for the detention of prisoners in 1811. In the 20th century, the castle had such a ruined appearance that the local authorities at the next meeting decided to completely demolish it, and use this place for the capital's market. But in 1905, when Norway became independent from Sweden, they began to save this historically valuable architecture of the country. The restoration of the fortress continued until 1976.

During the Second World War, the Gestapo was stationed in the fortress. Executions of the Norwegian resistance took place near the castle walls.

Nowadays, restoration work is still underway in the Akershus fortress. The fortress complex houses the State Ministry of Defense and museums. There is a territory on the territory of the castle, which is reserved for the royal acropolis.