Norway is a country that really has it all: stunning nature, fairytale scenery, warm people, and amazing history and culture. Austråttborgen Castle is one of the most important playgrounds of many events in Norwegian history and is not bad on the eyes either.
This is one of the places you can easily visit on your journey and will add cultural and historical value to your Norwegian adventure. Keep reading to find out what makes Austråttborgen Castle so unique!
Austråttborgen in Short
As you already know, Norway has a long and rich history filled with exploration, tales of heroism, and troubling neighbors. Because of this, many historical sites in the country are well worth a proper visit, and Austråttborgen Castle is definitely one of them.
This magnificent piece of real estate has over a thousand years’ worth of history and has played a role in shaping the Norwegian nation. Austråttborgen Castle is one of the oldest castles in Norway and has been everything from a pagan stronghold for the Norwegian Vikings to a site of heroism after a natural disaster.
Where is Austråttborgen Castle?
In the middle of Western Norway, just west of the popular city of Trondheim, Austråttborgen Castle sits at the top of the Fosen Peninsula. Historically, this was an important agricultural region in Norway, which is why it has had such an impact on Norwegian history.
How Do I Get to Austråttborgen?
Getting to Austråttborgen Castle from Oslo is easy, even if it takes a little bit of time. All you need to do is head North on E6/Rv3 for just over 5 hours until you reach Berkåk village. From there, take Roaf Fv700 north to Svokmo, where you get on Road 65 to Orkanger. From here, you take Road 710 north and the ferry from Valset to Brekstad. Now, all you need to do is follow the signs that will take you right up to the gates of the castle.
This route is 544 kilometers long and should take just over 8 hours if you can hit the right time for the ferry. You can detour via Trondheim, but that will take an extra hour or so.
The Rich History of Austråttborgen
The importance of Austråttborgen Castle began over a thousand years ago in the Viking Age and has been a prominent part of nearly every documented era in Norway.
The Viking Age
The first time the Austråttborgen Castle was mentioned in any historical text is when Snorri Sturluson wrote about how Skjegge Asbjørnson was buried in the area after an altercation with the current king Olav Tryggvason. The king was busy converting Mid-Norway to Christianity, and the local lord in the area, Skjegge Asbjørnson, refused and was killed by the king in 997.
Early Middle Ages
Ever since the death of Skjegge Asbjørnson, Austråttborgen Castle has been the seat for lords, jarls, and other officials in Norway. With close ties to the Norwegian Crown, the estate once more stood up to its ruler, and the head of the household was once again killed, and the family had to flee. From 1130, the estate became the property of the current king’s brother, and the Castle Chapel was built.
Late Middle Ages
From the late 1300s until 1552, the Austråttborgen Castle was the property of the noble family Rømer. This is important because the last owner of the estate from this family was Fru Inger, who became an important character in the reformation period in Norway.
When her husband passed away, she became very politically and religiously active.
Austråttborgen Castle was one of the first areas that adopted the Protestant doctrine, and Fru Inger is famous for standing up to the last archbishop in the area. So famous that she has a play made after her, and her power struggle with the Catholic Church has been studied by historians.
The estate is believed to have been plundered by the archbishop on multiple occasions, and Fru Inger at Austråttborgen Castle has been revered as a strong female figure in history for her strength and resilience.
Modern Times
When Fru Inge passed, she left the estate to her daughter and her husband, who was of the House Bjelke. The Bjelke Family held the estate for just over 100 years and lost it to creditors after they couldn’t pay their debts. From then on forward, the estate was bought and sold many times and has been in the hands of farmers, financial speculators, and trusts.
In 1916, the manor was hit by lightning, and large parts burned down. Two locals managed to save much of what was in the church at the time and were awarded the King’s Medal of Merit for their efforts. Even though this chapel isn’t as impressive as the Stave Churches in Norway, it represents a significant and important part of Norwegian history. Some of the items inside were from the early Middle Ages.
No effort was made by the owners of the time to restore the Austråttborgen Castle. The estate was given to the Norwegian state in 1919 and has been there ever since. Due to its historical significance, the state renovated it, and it is now one of the most stunning castles in Norway.
What to Do at Austråttborgen Castle
Austråttborgen Castle is one of our favorite stops in the region. When we’re done cruising through the fjords of Norway, it’s a nice change of pace to walk through the castle and see the old architecture and vivid colors from the restoration.
For a proper walk-through, you can book a tour of the Austråttborgen Castle in the café after enjoying a meal or a snack. The tours are, unfortunately, mostly conducted in Norwegian. But if you contact them beforehand, you can check when an English-speaking tour is available.
How Much Does a Visit to Austråttborgen Castle Cost?
Tickets are:
Adults: 120 NOK ($11.50)
Students: 70 NOK ($6.70)
Seniors 100 NOK ($9.50)
Children (up to 16 years & must be accompanied by an adult): No charge.
Plan Your Visit to Austråttborgen Castle
Norway has a myriad of places to see and historical sites to visit. Austråttborgen Castle is one that we really encourage people to visit just because of the impressive artifacts and eventful history. It’s a perfect stop on your journey and an excellent detour if you are in the Trondheim area.
Finding a good balance between nature and civilization is a must for a successful trip in Norway. Stopping by places like these, which are rich in history and don’t require a full day, is ideal when you rent a motorhome in Norway and take on the scenic roads.
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