Håkon’s Hall

Håkon's Hall, in Bergen

Håkon's Hall, or Håkonshallen, is the largest secular medieval building of Norway, on the site of the fortress of Bergenhus. The Bergen audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this great royal hall of the thirteenth century, witness of the golden age of Bergen, then capital of the kingdom.

The great medieval royal hall

You have here access to Håkon's Hall, the largest secular medieval building of Norway. It was built in the 1260s, under the reign of King Håkon Håkonsson, whose name it bears, certainly by English architects, which explains its style. Its monumental Gothic architecture, on three levels, was unusual for the era and the country. This great hall of state was erected at a sumptuous period of Norwegian history, when Bergen was the capital of the kingdom and the centre of the royal power. It served as banquet hall and reception hall for the court: it is here that the great festivals, the feasts, the ceremonies and the official events of the monarchy were held, in a splendour worthy of the rank of medieval Norway. Damaged over the centuries, notably during an explosion during the Second World War, the hall was carefully restored and has found its splendour again. You can today admire its vast volume, its framework and its solemn atmosphere, that evoke the grandeur of the golden age of Bergen. A medieval monument and a witness of the golden age, Håkon's Hall is a fine stop of the discovery of Bergen.

What to see

You admire the largest secular medieval building of Norway, built in the 1260s under King Håkon Håkonsson, certainly by English architects, with monumental Gothic architecture on three levels; great banquet and reception hall of the court at the time when Bergen was capital of the kingdom, restored after the damages of the war, it evokes the grandeur of the golden age of the town. Håkon's Hall is a witness of the golden age of Bergen. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

Håkon's Hall lies on the site of the fortress of Bergenhus, at the entrance of the port of Bergen, reachable on foot. The visit follows its own hours and conditions, which vary according to the season, and may be paid. It is best to check them before coming.

What is Håkon's Hall in Bergen?

The largest secular medieval building of Norway, built in the 1260s under King Håkon Håkonsson, certainly by English architects, with monumental Gothic architecture on three levels; it served as great banquet and reception hall for the court, at the time when Bergen was capital of the kingdom, and evokes the grandeur of the golden age of the town.

Where is Håkon's Hall in Bergen?

On the site of the fortress of Bergenhus, at the entrance of the port of Bergen, in Norway.