Håkonshallen

Håkonshallen is the medieval royal hall within the Bergenhus Fortress at the entrance to Bergen harbour, in Vestland county, Norway. It was built around 1247 to 1261 for King Håkon Håkonsson, during the period when Bergen was the principal royal residence and capital of the Norwegian realm. The hall was used for state banquets, assemblies and the wedding of the king's son, and is considered the largest and best-preserved secular medieval building in Norway. The structure is built of stone with a steep roof and stepped gables, and the upper floor holds the great hall used for ceremonies, with a smaller space below. Over the centuries the building was reduced in importance and was used as a granary and for storage, and was damaged by fire and neglect. A restoration in the 19th century began its return to a royal hall, and in 1944 a massive explosion of the ammunition ship Voorbode in Bergen harbour severely damaged both Håkonshallen and the nearby Rosenkrantz Tower. The hall was restored after the Second World War, with the work completed in 1960, using the original forms as a guide. Today it is run by Bergen City Museum, and is used for official events, concerts and receptions, which means that access can be restricted when a function is under way. Visitors can see the hall's great space and the exhibition in the lower floor on the history of the fortress, and can follow a guided tour in English during the main season. The combined ticket with the Rosenkrantz Tower gives access to both of the fortress's major medieval structures.