Akershus Castle, Norway

The Akershus Castle is a medieval castle located in Oslo, Norway. The castle was built by King Håkon V in the 1290's as a fortress to protect the city of Oslo. After the devastating fire in 1624 was the castle in 1648 completely rebuilt in the Renaissance style by King Christian IV.

During the 17th and 18th centuries the Akershus Castle fell into decay and the restoration works did not began until 1899. During the World War II was the castle the site of execution of several people by the Germans occupiers and after the end of war were eight Norwegians, among them also Vidkun Quisling, tried for war crimes, sentenced to death and executed at the Akershus Castle. The renovation works of the Akershus Castle were completed in 1963 and today is the castle open to the public.