Alberga Manor, Espoo, Finland - SpottingHistory.com

Photo from Flickr, copyright Bernt Rostad

Historic Site of the week

Bergenhus Fortress

Bergenhus fortress is one of the oldest and best preserved castles in Norway. It contains buildings dating as far back as the 1240s, as well as later constructions built as recently as World War II. The extent of the enclosed area of today dates from the early 19th century. In medieval times, the area of the present-day Bergenhus Fortress was known as Holmen (The islet), and contained the royal residence in Bergen, as well as a cathedral and several churches, the bishop's residence, and a Dominican monastery. Excavations have revealed foundations of buildings believed to date back to before 1100, which might have been erected by King Olav Kyrre. In the 13th century, until 1299, Bergen was the capital of Norway and Holmen was thus the main seat of Norway's rulers. It was first enclosed by stone walls in the 1240s.

Of the medieval buildings, a medieval hall and a defensive tower remain. The royal hall, today known as Haakon's Hall, built around 1260, is the largest medieval secular building in Norway. The defensive tower, known in the Middle Ages as the keep by the sea, was built around 1270 by King Magnus VI Lagabøte, and contained a royal apartment on the top floor. In the 1560s it was incorporated by the commander of the castle, Erik Rosenkrantz, into a larger structure, which is today known as the Rosenkrantz Tower.

In the Middle Ages, several churches, including the Christ Church, Bergen's cathedral, were situated on the premises. These however were torn down in the period 1526 to 1531, as the area of Holmen was converted into a purely military fortification under Danish rule. From around this time, the name Bergenhus came into use. Building work on the Christ Church probably started around 1100. It contained the shrine of saint Sunniva, the patron saint of Bergen and western Norway. In the 12th and 13th centuries it was the site of several royal coronations and weddings. It was also the burial site of at least six kings, as well as other members of the royal family. The site of its altar is today marked by a memorial stone.

In the 19th century, the fortress lost its function as a defensive fortification, but it was retained by the military as an administrative base. After restoration in the 1890s, and again after destruction sustained during World War II, Bergenhus is today again used as a feast hall for public events. During World War II, the German navy used several of its buildings for their headquarters, and they also constructed a large concrete bunker within the fortress walls. The buildings, including the Haakon's Hall, were severely damaged when a Dutch ship in the service of the German navy, carrying approximately 120 tons of dynamite, exploded on 20 April 1944 in the harbour just outside the fortress walls, but the buildings were later restored.

Bergenhus is currently under the command of the Royal Norwegian Navy, which has about 150 military personnel stationed there. The fortifications Sverresborg fortress and Fredriksberg fortress also lie in the centre of Bergen. Haakon's Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower are open for visits by the public. Koengen, the central part of Bergenhus Fortress is also known as a concert venue.

Heikki Angervaissaari (12 months ago)
Hieno historiallinen paikka. Olimme vaimon kanssa joulumyyjäisissä siellä käymässä ja käsitöitä oli tarjolla jos jonkinmoista villasukkia, lastenvaatteita kaikki neulottuja, kynttilöitä, koruja, kortteja ja kahvikakkuja. Oli vain vähän huono sää mutta sisällä syötiin joulupuuro mehukeittolla ja kahvi&mehu hinta 12 euroa. Ei avointa Wi-fiä. Varaa käteistä jos yhteydet tapahtumien järjestäjillä ei aina pelaa. Korttimaksujen kanssa voi olla vaikeaa.

Jari Tiainen (19 months ago)
Vanha idyllinen kartano,suojelukohde,taitaa olla yx L-vaaran vanhimmista rakennuksista.Monet tilaisuudet siellä viettäny,eli käsittääkseni vuokrataan myös ns.ulkopuolisille.Näkemisen arvoinen,ehdottomasti.

Teemu Jokinen (21 months ago)
Cool

Kari Gröhn (2 years ago)
Kiva puisto ympärillä. Vuokrattavissa juhla tilaa.

Jorma Auvinen (2 years ago)
Kaunis kartano puistomaisessa ympäristössä. Sijainti hyvien kulkuyhyhteyksien varrella.

Alberga Manor

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Best of Middle Rhine Valley, Germany

Must-see historic sighs in Luxembourg

Top historic sights of Istria

Historic Site of the week

Bergenhus Fortress

Looks like you are a history fan!

Do you know an ancient castle or hidden ruins near you?