Oslo - Norway - page 111

as a whole is known as Akershus Festning (Akershus Fortress; MAP GOOGLE MAP ;
6am-9pm ) . Inside the expansive complex are a couple of museums and interesting build-
ings. Entry to the fortress is through a gate at the end of Akersgata or over a drawbridge
spanning Kongens gate at the southern end of Kirkegata. After 6pm in winter, use the
Kirkegata entrance.
When Oslo was named capital of Norway in 1299, King Håkon V ordered the construc-
tion of Akershus to protect the city from external threats. It has since been extended, modi-
fied and had its defences beefed up a number of times.
When Oslo was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1624, the city, renamed Christiania,
was shifted to the less vulnerable and more defensible site behind the protective fortress
walls. By 1818 the need for defence had been superseded by the need for space and most
of the outer rampart was destroyed to accommodate population growth. From 1899 to
1963 it underwent major renovations, and nowadays the parklike grounds serve as a venue
for concerts, dances and theatrical productions - a far cry from its warlike origins and a
welcome departure from its grim history. Note, however, that this complex remains a milit-
ary installation and may be closed to the public whenever there's a state function.
The Akershus Fortress Information Centre ( GOOGLE MAP ; 23 09 39 17; Akershus
Slott; guided tours adult/child Nkr50/30; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm Sat & Sun May-Aug,
10am-4pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm Sat & Sun rest of yr) , inside the main gate, has permanant exhib-
its recounting the history of the Akershus complex, as well as temporary exhibits high-
lighting aspects of Oslo's history. Staff can organise guided tours . At 1.30pm you can
watch the changing of the guard at the fortress.
Akershus Slott CASTLE
(Akershus Castle; MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 22 41 25 21; www.nasjonalefestningsverk.no ; adult/child
Nkr70/30, with Oslo pass free; 10am-4pm Mon-Sat, 12-4pm Sun May-Aug, 12-5pm Sat & Sun Sep-
Apr, guided tours 11am, 1pm, 3pm mid-Jun-mid-Aug, shorter hrs May-mid-Jun & mid-Aug-Sep)
In the 17th century, Christian IV renovated Akershus Castle into a Renaissance palace, al-
though the front remains decidedly medieval. In its dungeons you'll find dark cubbyholes
where outcast nobles were kept under lock and key, while the upper floors contained
sharply contrasting lavish banquet halls and staterooms.
The castle chapel is still used for army events, and the crypts of King Håkon VII and
Olav V lie beneath it. The guided tours are led by university students in period dress and,