Outdoor guided tours
The visitor centre offers two different tours: one features selected episodes from the fortress's 700-year-long history, while the other tour focuses on the fortress's period as a prison. More information.
The Norwegian Resistance Museum
Contains an exhibition and an archive/library. It is the leading institution in Norway on the history of the occupation in World War II.
The Norwegian Armed Forces Museum
Presents Norwegian defence history from the Middle Ages up until the period after World War II.
Akershus Castle
| Akershus Castle is currently closed due to construction works. The castle reopens to visitors 2 May 2020. We look forward to seeing you for the summer season. |
Art projects
Dagbok – tilfeldighetsarkiv by Tone Myskja ('Diary - an archive of coincidences') comprises three hatches in the southern wall of the Norwegian Resistance Museum. The project is inspired by prisoners of war all over the world, and in particular by one prisoner of war, Petter Moen, who, during his time in captivity, kept a diary on stiff toilet paper using a drawing pin to write with.
Skyggespill by Jannicke Lie ('Shadow play') is a mobile light sculpture in chrome metal. Silhouette motifs from newspaper photos from wars all over the world have been mounted on rotating discs that both reflect light and throw shadows in a basement room in Escarpe du Nord's powder tower.
Salutes
Salutes are fired on the birthdays of the King and Queen, and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, on VE Day, Constitution Day and Union Dissolution Day at 12.00 (13.00 on Sundays).
Dates of ordinary salutes:
- 21 February - the King's birthday
- 8 May – VE Day,
- 17 May – Constitution Day
- 7 June – Union Dissolution Day
- 4 July - the Queen's birthday
The fortress trail
Walk at your own pace and learn about the nature, distinctive architecture and history of the fortress through the centuries. The map of the trail tells you about historical events and famous people, and what everyday life was like within the fortress's thick walls. The map also contains information about the design of the fortress, and an explanation of what, to most of us, are unfamiliar words and expressions used about buildings, weapons and other things that were part of fortress life.
Tips for things you can do yourself
Large areas of the fortress consist of open parkland that you can use for recreation purposes. Visitors can enjoy a picnic, play ball games or just go for a walk in these areas. As long as you show due consideration for the historical surroundings, the only limit is your imagination.