Oslo - Norway - page 189

warmongeringSwedeKingKarlXIIwasshotdeadonthesite(amonumentnowmarksthe
spot).
Themuseumsinthecastlegroundscovervariousfacetsofthefortress'history.Downhill
from the main entrance, the War Museum contains military artefacts and a variety of in-
formation on Halden's experiences of war from 1660 onwards, including details on the
Norwegian independence movement in 1905. A tunnel leads up into Prince Christian's
Bastion - the main vantage point for the fortress' defenders. A broader sweep of Halden's
history is outlined in the Byen Brenner Museum ('City in Flames' Museum) exhibition
about halfway down the main thoroughfare. Displays in the Gamle Kommandantbol-
ig (Commandant's Residence) cover the history of trade and relations with neighbouring
Sweden. The building itself was constructed between 1754 and 1758 and damaged by fire
in 1826. After renovation it was used as a powder laboratory, armoury and barracks. Note
the Fredrik V monogram over the doorway.
Perhaps the most interesting sites are the brewery , which once produced up to 3000L
of beer a day, and the bakery ovens , which baked bread for up to 5000 soldiers. There's
also a multimedia presentation and shop at the Infosenter, just inside the main entrance of
the fortress.
There are many intriguing old buildings dotted around the fortress, but even better are
the views over Halden.
Guided tours (adult/child Nkr60/30; noon, 1.30pm & 3pm Sat & Sun Jul-8 Aug)
of the fortress and other buildings on the grounds are in Norwegian or English. At other
times you can take an audio tour (Nkr50). There are also self-guided ghost tours (tour
maps Nkr50; May-Aug) , in which you're almost guaranteed to see the fortress' fam-
ous 'Lady in White'…
On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in season various dance and musical shows are
staged in the fortress grounds. The Wednesday night show is actually part of a national TV
show, Allsangpå Grensen (Sing Along).
Rød Herregård HISTORIC BUILDING
(Herregårdsveien; tours adult/child Nkr60/30; tours noon, 1pm & 2pm Tue-Sat
mid-Jun-mid-Aug, noon, 1pm & 2pm Sun May-mid-Jun, noon, 1pm & 3pm Sun mid-
Aug-Sep) Rød Herregård manor, dating from at least 1690, has fine interiors, which in-
clude notable collections of both weapons and art and lots of the local wildlife with their
heads removed from their bodies and stuck up on the wall as trophies - they look so much
better like that, don't you think, old chap? The formal gardens are some of the most pleas-
ant in Norway. It's 1.5km northwest of the town centre and is well signposted.