Håkonshallen
Bergenhus 10
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Håkonshallen – a great hall from the Middle Ages
Håkonshallen is a medieval stone hall in the heart of Bergen. It was built as a royal residence and banquet hall during King Håkon Håkonsson's rule of Norway in the 1200s, at a time when Bergen was the country's capital.
As a national cultural monument, Håkonshallen remains in use for royal dinners and other official events. Not least: it has been an important arena for concerts during the Bergen International Festival. With its mighty stone walls, vaulted ceiling and acoustics that carry both history and music, Håkonshallen is an excellent arena for concert experiences.
King Håkon's massive building project
In 1247, King Håkon Håkonsson ordered the construction of a new royal stone hall in Bergenhus Fortress, which could accommodate both weddings and royal celebrations. Construction took 14 years. In September 1261, the building was finally ready to host its first major event: the wedding of Magnus Lagabøte, Håkon's son, and the Danish princess Ingeborg. In addition, Håkon lived in an extension just behind Håkonshallen.
In April 1944, the Dutch ship Voorbode exploded in the harbour right next to Håkonshallen. Only the walls remained. In the years 1955–1961, the hall was rebuilt, and it is this version we see today. The restoration has preserved the hall's monumental character, and the building stands as Norway's largest secular building from the Middle Ages.
Concerts in the King's Hall
Acoustics with seven hundred years of history
Håkonshallen's acoustics are distinctive and many musicians having described them as "magical" and "majestic". The stone walls, vaulted ceiling and dimensions of the hall create a large sounding board. The Bergen International Festival has been hosting concerts here since its inception, and Håkonshallen is probably the only place in Norway where you can experience a performance in such a unique building.
Big voices and master meetings
The Bergen International Festival's concerts in Håkonshallen offer a programme ranging from classical masterpieces to innovative contemporary compositions.
How to get to Håkonshallen?
Håkonshallen's address
Håkonshallen is located at Bergenhus Fortress, 5835 Bergen, right next to the UNESCO-listed wharf, Bryggen. The fortress area is open to the public from 07:00 to 23:00 and is a popular spot for a stroll.
Transport to Håkonshallen
We encourage the public to leave their car behind and use public transport to rrach Håkonshallen. The nearest bus stops are Bradbenken, Sandbrogaten and Bontelabo. See skyss.no for updated routes. Bergen City Bike is a quick and environmentally friendly way to get to Bergenhus. There are two city bike parking spaces at Dreggsallmenningen, right beside the fortress.
Parking at Bergenhus
Are you dependent on a car? There is parking in the parking garage in Rosenkrantzgaten, which is a short walk from Håkonshallen. Cars with a handicap certificate can drive into Ekserserplassen for delivering and collecting those with reduced mobility. Please note that there are no parking spaces directly beside Håkonshallen.
The carpenter's barracks at the fortress
The carpenter's barracks at Bergenhus Fortress is open on days with good weather from 1 May. The opening hours are primarily from 12:00 to 20:00, but on especially nice days between Thursday and Saturday, the opening hours may be extended to 22:00. Here, you can enjoy a refreshment before or after the concert.
Håkonshallen. Foto: Synne S.B. Bønes Håkonshallen. Foto: Synne S.B. Bønes
Accessibility in Håkonshallen
Feel free to contact us at billett@fib.no if you have any questions about accessibility.
For wheelchair users
Unfortunately, being a listed building from the 1200s, Håkonshallen is not adapted for wheelchair users, and access is very limited. Wheelchair users must be assisted to get across the fortress site and must be carried through the main door and up the stairs to the concert hall on the third floor. The Bergen International Festival can help with assistance, but this must be arranged in advance. Contact us at billett@fib.no before booking your ticket and we will help you with the practical details.
Adapted facilities
There is an adapted toilet in the building, but note that there is a step up to the ground floor. The hall does not have a lift.
Assistive devices for the hearing impaired
Unfortunately, Håkonshallen does not have facilities for the hearing impaired.
FAQs about Håkonshallen
Why is Håkonshallen so important to the Bergen International Festival?
Håkonshallen is one of the Festival's most important venues, and represents a unique combination of Norwegian medieval history and live music. The area at Bergenhus was used as an outdoor arena for the first Bergen International Festival in 1953, and Håkonshallen itself was reopened following an extensive restoration in 1961.
What kind of concerts are held in Håkonshallen?
The Bergen International Festival presents a wide range of music in Håkonshallen, from chamber music and classical masterpieces to contemporary music and experimental concerts. The hall is well suited for vocal ensembles, string concerts, smaller orchestras and solo artists.
Can I visit Håkonshallen when there are no concerts?
Yes, Håkonshallen is regularly open as a museum and is managed by Bymuseet i Bergen. Here, you can take guided tours and experience the hall's three floors and see models that show the building as it looked around the year 1300. Please note that the hall may be closed when there are concerts or official events.
When should I arrive for concerts?
If you have never been to Håkonshallen before, we recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the concert. This gives you plenty of time to walk through the fortress area, head up the stairs and find your seats in the concert hall.
What makes the acoustics in Håkonshall so unique?
The stone walls and the hall's soaring vaulted ceiling provide a large sounding board, which few other concert venues can offer. Many artists describe it as a unique experience to perform there.
Can I take photos during concerts in Håkonshallen?
For the sake of the artists and your fellow audience members, we ask that mobile phones be kept completely switched off during performances. Photography during concerts is not permitted. Although you are welcome to take pictures in the fortress area and in Håkonshallen when there is no concert, during performances we want the audience to be fully present in the experience without interference from technology. If you want to take a picture, take it during the applause at the very end.
