Rosenkrantz Tower — Attraction in Bergen

The Rosenkrantz Tower

One of Norway's most important kings, Magnus Lagabøte, lived here in the 13th century. In the 16th century it became the sheriff's castle.

To visit the Rosenkrantz Tower is to get close to history. The stone walls in the bedroom of King Magnus Lagabøte still exist. Here is the chapel with the original altar where the king spent a lot of time, and on the first floor the king's soldiers stayed. Via winding, narrow corridors and steep stairs, we move from the basement with the 16th-century dungeon, to the cannon loft just below the roof. The cannons that stood here were used for a single day in the war, during the battle of Vågen, on 2 August 1665. At the top we can get out onto the watchman's corridor on the roof, here the watchmen had a view of the whole city, and this is still perhaps the best view in the city !

The Middle Ages

The inner core of the tower is Magnus Lagabøte's tower or castle from the 13th century. This is one of the monuments from the time when Norway was a power factor in Northern Europe. In the tower lived the last two kings who mainly ruled Norway from Bergen, King Magnus Lagabøte and his eldest son, King Eirik Magnusson. Through state administration and legislation, we can say that the kings in the High Middle Ages shaped a Norwegian state.

The Danish era

The tower also represents the fall of Norway. The Danish general Jørgens Hansønn rebuilt the tower in the early 16th century. The newest part, built for Sheriff Erik Rosenkrantz from the 1560s, represents Denmark's power. It was now Danish officials who made up the power apparatus in the country. The county lords represented the Danish king's power locally. The tower is thus a symbol of the union era, where Denmark was the strong party at the expense of Norway.

1944

In 1944, the Rosenkrantz Tower was heavily damaged when a cargo ship loaded with explosives exploded just outside. The upper floors collapsed. The reconstruction was completed in the 1960s. The investigations that were carried out led to an increase in knowledge about the tower. The restoration means that the building's various building stages and history can be clearly read in the walls.

Today, Rosenkrantztårnet is primarily used as a museum, but in some cases concerts and performances have been arranged here.

Learn, search and find!

Search and find - get a booklet with questions for children. Feel free to bring your own pencil.

Download an outdoor activity trail for Bergenhus Fortress! (printable pdf format)

Practical information and tips

The museum is suitable for all age groups

We offer guided tours in Norwegian and English during the summer season. You get your own guide brochure when you buy an entrance ticket. Languages: Norwegian, English, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian

Recommended time spent in Rosenkrantztårnet is 45-50 minutes

The museum is not adapted for wheelchair users.

There are many narrow, steep stairs in the tower, so you should be good on your feet

The museum does not offer catering, but with its location in the city centre, there are many places to eat nearby

At the reception you can get a fortress puzzle where you answer questions about the fortress, the answers can be found in the outdoor area. If you want to go for a walk in the fortress, you can get a fortress trail at the reception, with a map and information about the buildings and the area

Grilling and any other use of fire is prohibited in the fortress area Rosenkrantztårnet

Her bodde en av Norges viktigste konger, Magnus Lagabøte på 1200-tallet. På 1500-tallet ble det lensherrenes slott.

Å besøke Rosenkrantztårnet er å komme nære historien. Steinveggene i soverommet til kong Magnus Lagabøte finnes fortsatt. Her er kapellet med det originale alteret der kongen brukte mye tid, og i første etasje oppholdt kongens soldater seg. Via kronglete, smale ganger og bratte trapper beveger vi oss fra kjelleren med 1500-tallets fangehull, til kanonloftet like under taket. Kanonene som sto her ble brukt en...

The Rosenkrantz Tower is most prominent renaissance building in Norway. One upon a time it used to be a residence of one of the Norway's significant King, Magnus the Lawmender. But it has been extended several times for purpose of fortification and later it use a a office of the Governor Of Bergen. The oldest part dates from around 1270,when the Rosenkrantz tower was a part of the Norwegian Royal Castel. The tower received its present form around 1563. In the 750 year history of The Rosenkrantz Tower water has always been a problem .Water has leaked in from the walls ,the roofs and the guards passage. In the coming year Statsbygg will secure this heritage site by restoring the roof and facades. The work will be undertaken in close collaboration with the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage. No Ticket is needed to Enter the Rosenkrantz Tower. The tower is near the sea. One can enjoy the City's view from top of the tower. Photography and videography is allowed ...

We arrived 45 minutes before closing time. We asked of it would be enough time to see everything. The recommended time was 40-45 minutes they told us. 15 minutes before closing time they started flickering the lights to get us out. 10 minutes before closing someone of the staff starts to walk behind you to rush you to the exit. At the end we told the staff we thought 40-45 minutes was too short for the recommended time in our opinion. We didn’t get to read and see everything, not even close. When we told them, they didn’t care, didn’t respond, were rude and were laughing as we left. Super unfriendly. Content of exhibition interesting. We thought the entrance price (140NOK per person)...