Bergen Fortress (Bergenhus og Sverresborg)

Bergen Fortress is situated in "Vågen" which means that its lying right next to "Bryggen". It has been destroyed several times since the creation around 1180. Bergen actually became the capital of Norway when the fortress was created. The Fortress also was of significant importance during the major battles for Bergen which where the biggest city in scandinavia until around year 1700.

In the 17th and 18th century the Fortress was expanded so that Bergenhus and Sverresborg merged together, but after big fortresses lost their significance in the 19th century they where yet again separated. The fortress also served as a home for several Anti-air batteries in the WW2 . 7 Germans and 1 Norwegian where executed here in 1946 because of war-crimes.

Its free to wander around in the fortress to look at some old canons and just get away from everything else for an hour. There are also atractions such as "The Håkon's Hall (Håkonshallen)" and "The Rosenkrantz Tower(Rosenkrantstårnet)", but they cost 40kr/20kr each (Free with the Bergen card).

Today the Fortress is open to the public, but there is still a military presence including around 150men and women.