Fasilitet: General facilities

Vikingskipet

One of the largest ice-skating arenas in the world

Hamar Olympiahall – Vikingskipet is a modern multi-purpose arena with an architecture reminiscent of our Viking Ship heritage. It was built for the 1994 Winter Olympics, and has status as a national arena. This means that it can be used for international championships. Today, the bustling arena is used for speed-skating, bandy, and figure-skating training and competitions, and it also plays host to a wide range of small and large trade fairs, corporate events, exhibitions, banquets, and concerts. When used as a concert venue, Vikingskipet offers a 20 000-people capacity. It enjoys a beautiful location in Åkersvika, on the banks of Mjøsa, not far from Hamar town centre.

Spectacular architecture

Shaped like an upside-down Viking Ship, the arena showcases Norwegian architecture and building design using laminated wood lattice girders with a max. beam span of 96 metres and with 4-metre struts. The architects are Biong & Biong Arkitektfirma and Niels Torp Arkitekter, and the arena measures 250 metres at is longest and 110 metres at its widest. It has a max. floor-to-ceiling height of 36 metres, a total area of 22 000 sq. m, a 10 000 sq. m ice rink, a 30 000 sq. m roof surface, and a volume of 350 000 cubic metres.

Test your ice-skating skills

When the arena’s ice rink is in place, ice skating in Vikingskipet is open to everyone. Skates are available for hire, and there is also a shop selling ice-skating equipment.

Bastion 5

Welcome to the oldest part of Gamlebyen, Fredrikstad’s Old Town – one of the best preserved fortress towns in Northern Europe. At Bastion 5 – the southern tip of the fortress – you will find Café Magenta and the workshops and galleries of 9 artists. Visitors come to this culture corner to enjoy à la carte eating, art, history and music. Guests are free to visit the art workshops and see potters, painters, goldsmiths and glassblowers at work.

 

Café Magenta, known for its rustic interior and ancient location, has live music twice a week and a new exhibition every month. Choose hot and cold dishes from the large menu.

Oscarsborg Fortress

Oscarsborg Fortress is a jewel in the Drøbak narrow. In summer, Oscarsborg is perfect for families and for those interested in nature, culture and history. Oscarsborg Fortress Museum presents the history of the place and organises guided tours. There are plenty of activities for children. A safari through the subterranean tunnels below the fortress, obstacle courses, bathing beaches and crab fishing.

The unique surroundings of the fortress provide a fantastic arena for the theatre, opera and concerts which are organised during the summer season. At Oscarsborg you will find an art gallery, exhibitions, hotel and a good selection of places to eat. In summer you can travel by ferry from Drøbak and Oslo, or arrive with your own boat to Oscarsborg Marina.

History

Akershus Fortress had been the defender of the capital Oslo/Christiania for hundred of years. In the sixteenth century there was a great deal of unrest in Europe and it became important to have a fortification further out from the capital. The Drøbak Sound was identified as a strategic position for defence. In 1640 King Christian IV in Copenhagen ordered a blockhouse to be built on the Southern Kaholmen, which was finished in 1643.

The state bought the two Kaholmen Islands in 1845. The planning began immediately and the construction works started in 1846. After the visit of King Oscar in 1855 the fortress was given the name Oscarsborg. However, already in the 1860’s the fortress was out of date, developments in artillery had been rapid and the technical revolution had created a transformation in the way warfare was conducted.

Originally the fortress Oscarsborg was created to resist attack from sea and not over land. To withstand attacks over land the fortress was extended from 1890. New gun batteries were placed on Kaholmen, Håøya and on both sides of the fjord. An underwater stone wall (jeté), minefield, torpedo battery and entrenchments was also built.

When the negotiations with Sweden took place in 1905, the Oscarsborg fortress was regarded as the strongest fortress in northern Europe, with a defensive line that stretched 10 km from the Heer Entrenchment in the east to the top of Håøya in the west.

On the 9th of April 1940 Oscarsborg Fortress endured its first real trial. The fortress delayed the German attack by sinking the heavy cruiser “Blücher”; the newest cruiser of Germany. This slowed the attack, which gave the King, Government and Parliament sufficient time to evacuate Oslo and later on take up the fight against the occupation of Norway.

After the Second World War the strategic importance of Oscarsborg reduced and the last fortification was ended on the 1st of January 1993 and in 2002 the fortress became finally abolished.

In 2004 the Parliament decided to create The National Fortifications Heritage(“Nasjonale festningsverk”) which has the responsibility for the maintenance of 14 historical fortresses, among them Oscarsborg Fortress.

Cultural arena

Oscarsborg is a unique cultural arena for opera and concerts throughout the summer season. This year has an exciting programme with an acoustic pop/rock festival, wandering theatre troupes and fantastic opera experiences in the courtyard throughout August – just to mention a few. Oscarsborg has an art gallery run by Avistegnerne in Drøbak. “Forsvarets Hus” (“Military House”) in Kommandantboligen shows how the Norwegian military is today.

Getting here

The island can be reached by boat from Drøbak all year and there are buses from Oslo to Drøbak with regular departures. During spring and summer months you may take the ferry B21/B22 from Oslo, Aker Brygge to Oscarsborg and Drøbak. Ferry scedules

 

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Democracy Centre Wergeland’s House by Eidsvoll 1814

Welcome to Eidsvoll 1814 – the cradle of Norwegian democracy

As the place where the Norwegian Constitution was drawn up and signed in 1814, Eidsvollsbygningen (Eidsvoll Manor House) is one of Norway’s most important national symbols.

Today, the museum encompasses the house itself, along with ancillary buildings and surrounding park, the Democracy Centre Wergeland’s House, ticket sales and souvenir shop, the museum shop, Kafé Standpunkt with al fresco seating, and outdoor exhibitions.

As the place where the Norwegian Constitution was drawn up and signed in 1814, Eidsvollsbygningen is one of Norway’s most important national symbols. The Constituent Assembly was made up of 112 delegates, who gathered here from 10 April to 20 May 1814. The Assembly declared Norway an independent nation, after more than 400 years of union with Denmark, gave the country a constitution and elected a king. The Constitution is dated 17 May 1814, which is celebrated as Norway’s national day.

In 1814 Eidsvoll Manor House was a private home belonging to the owner of Eidsvoll Ironworks. It is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture, whose design draws inspiration from the ideals of antiquity, and it is unparalleled in Norway. Eidsvoll Manor House’s architectural qualities are obvious both inside and out.

Guided tours in english every opening day at 12:30

 Check opening hours and guided tours here

Wergelands Hus – Our visitors centre contains the exhibit “Citizens in a Living democracy”, emphasizing past and present stories of people committed to a cause, as well as other smaller changing exhibits inside and outside the house.  The centre is located only 50 m from the main building with nice outdoor surroundings.

Kafé Standpunkt  – is a modern coffeehouse inspired by the coffeehouse traditions that were established in Europe during the 17thcentury. In Madame Juels coffeehouse in Copenhagen the early thoughts of Norwegian independence were born, leading on to the events in 1814. Our coffeehouse offers tasty pastries, lunch and coffee in a modern interior which includes a small bookshop.

The coffeehouse is located in our visitors centre with a nice view to Eidsvollsbygningen as well as the river Andelva. Seats app 60 pax in side and 25 pax outside. 

Museums shop- Roomers say it’s one of the most pretty museum shops in Norway, with a charming athmosphere and helpful staff.  Planning the shop we wanted to bring the experience from the main building into the shop and its interiors as well as range of products.  No trolls here..

Public Tranportation

From Oslo central station there is a train to Eidsvoll Verk every half hour, and the trip takes approx. 30 minutes. From here it is a great walk of about 20 minutes if you feel like walking – if not, you can take the corresponding bus that is included in the bus ticket directly to Eidsvoll 1814.

Welcome!

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