Hovedøya Abbey Ruins

Oslo, Norway

Hovedøya Abbey was a Cistercian founded on 18 May 1147 by monks from Kirkstead Abbey in England on Hovedøya island, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Edmund. A church dedicated to Edmund already stood on the island, and the monks took this over as the abbey church, modifying it to meet Cistercian requirements. The rest of the monastery follow a modified Cistercian building plan, to take into account a small local hill. The church itself is built in Romanesque style; the rest of the monastery was presumably Gothic. During the medieval period the abbey was one of the richest institutions in Norway, holding over 400 properties, including a fishery and timber yards.

Political turmoil during the succession to the throne of Denmark-Norway led to the end of the monastery. The abbot, having supported the Protestant King Christian II, possibly in a bid to gain support in the face of the coming Reformation, came into conflict with the commandant of Akershus Fortress, Mogens Gyllenstierne, who ironically had supported the Roman Catholic Prince Frederick I. In 1532 the abbot was thrown into prison for his political involvements, and the abbey was looted and then set ablaze, thus ending 400 years of monastic activity at Hovedøya. Any hope the order might have had in restoring the rich abbey was dashed 4 years later, when the Reformation swept over Denmark-Norway.

The site was later used as a quarry for stone for Akershus Castle. The remaining ruins are nevertheless among the most complete of a medieval Norwegian monastery.

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Address

Hovedøya, Oslo, Norway
See all sites in Oslo

Details

Founded: 1147
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Norway

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Loren Bjurling (10 months ago)
Great visit if exploring ruins is your thing. Just a short ferry trip from Akke Brygge.
Victoria Popsueva (11 months ago)
Well presented ruins, with information and model of the cloister as it existed eight centuries ago. A café close by. However, if you visit with kids - there's no playground or anything to keep them busy in the area.
Vinnie B (11 months ago)
(From Wikipedia) The monastery was founded on 18 May 1147 by monks from Kirkstead Abbey in England on Hovedøya island, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Edmund. One of the more interesting items to look at on Hovedøya Island. And to the filthy entitled pig that left their used salad bowl (from the cafe next door) on the wall of the monastery, you’re a scumbag. Please do the world a favor and run to the nearest sharp knife and immediately fall on it.
Kerttu Kolari (13 months ago)
It was really nice to experience this monastery island. Unfortunately, no coffee was found on the isle.
igor kalcic (2 years ago)
History is always interesting
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