Baroniet Rosendal is a place of incredible beauty, representing Norway’s rich history. Whether you’re a bit of a history buff, a nature lover, or just want to dive deeper into Norway’s cultural heritage during your trip, a visit to Baroniet Rosendal will be an unforgettable experience.
In this article, we take a closer look at this spectacular manor house with its magnificent architecture, reveal what makes it so special, and why it deserves a spot on your Norwegian trip itinerary.
What Makes Baroniet Rosendal So Special?
Baroniet Rosendal is both famous for its picturesque manor house and its idyllic setting. Here are the features that make it such a special place to visit:
The Manor House
Baroniet Rosendal is the only barony in Norway and actually the smallest manor house in all of Scandinavia. Built in 1665, this incredible piece of history and architecture has seen 250 years of its owners making all sorts of changes and improvements (clearly visible in some of its diverse and contrasting rooms). Today, however, you will see it as a captured moment in time as it’s been preserved since 1927 after the last owners in residence left.
The Gardens
One of the highlights of Baroniet Rosendal is its spectacular Renaissance garden, referred to as the Rosendal Gardens. Even here, you are surrounded by history since the garden, at almost 300 years old, represents the changing gardening styles and trends through the ages. While standing in the garden, you also have magnificent views of the mountains (Melderskin, Malmangernuten, and Laurdalstind), Hardangerfjorden (the fjord), and Hattebergfossen Waterfall.
Special Events
Another major draw at Baroniet Rosendal is the special events one can attend all throughout the year. These can range from pets and popstars to art exhibitions and an annual Chamber Music Festival featuring artists such as Ragnhild Lothe.
The Historical Relevance of Baroniet Rosendal
As we already touched on, a manor house built in the 1600s that has seen its fair share of owners has quite a lot of history attached to it. The story of Baroniet Rosendal begins with the wedding between one of the wealthiest heirs in Norway, Karen Mowat, and the Danish nobleman, Ludvig Rosenkrantz. They received a farm called Hatteberg as a wedding present. Soon after, they built their house on the farm and renamed it Rosendal.
While the house and each room are an eclectic mix of interior design and trends through the ages, the library has been left completely untouched, and you will still find it as it was in the 17th century. Today, visitors can explore the house via guided tours to get a little more in-depth knowledge regarding its history and interesting furnishings.
Where is Baroniet Rosendal in Norway?
As the name suggests, Baroniet Rosendal can be found in the village of Rosendal, in Kvinnherad, Hordaland County, in Norway. The nearest big city is Bergen, which is about 120 kilometers away.
Opening Hours of Baroniet Rosendal
The opening hours at Baroniet Rosendal are seasonal:
11 August to 1 September
Manor House Tours:
Tuesday – Friday @:
11:00 (In Norwegian)
12:00 (In English)
13:00 (In English)
14:00 (In Norwegian)
15:00 (In both Norwegian and English)
Saturday & Sunday @:
11:00 (In Norwegian)
12:00 (In Norwegian)
13:00 (In Norwegian)
14:00 (In English)
15:00 (In both Norwegian and English)
Garden Café:
Tuesday – Sunday @:
11:30 to 15:00
2 September to 15 September
Exclusively open to groups who made prior arrangements.
Price of Admission to Baroniet Rosendal
Prices vary depending on the type of access you’d like or whether you’re an individual or part of a larger group:
For Individuals
The following will grant you access to Rosendal Gardens with the option of a guided tour through the Manor House or the Gardens:
Adults (those18 years and older) = 210 NOK (+/-$20)
Children (those between 7 and 17 years) = 50 NOK (+/-$5)
Children (those between 0 and 6 years) = Free
Students (must have a valid student card) = 100 NOK (+/-$10)
The following will grant you access to Rosendal Gardens with a guided tour of both the Manor House and the Gardens:
Adults (those18 years and older) = 250 NOK (+/-$24)
Children (those between 7 and 17 years) = 90 NOK (+/-$9)
Children (those between 0 and 6 years) = Free
Students (must have a valid student card) = 140 NOK (+/-$13.50)
The following will grant you access only to Rosendal Gardens:
Adults (those18 years and older) = 150 NOK (+/-$14)
Children (those between 7 and 17 years) = 25 NOK (+/-$2.50)
Children (those between 0 and 6 years) = Free
Students (must have a valid student card) = 50 NOK (+/-$5)
For Groups of 25+ People
The following will grant you access to Rosendal Gardens with a guided tour of both the Manor House and the Gardens:
210 NOK (+/-$18) per person
The following will grant you access to Rosendal Gardens with the option of a guided tour through the Manor House or the Gardens:
160 NOK (+/-$15.50) per person
The following will grant you access only to Rosendal Gardens:
125 NOK (+/-$12) per person
Spend the Night: Accommodation at Baroniet Rosendal
One of the perks of visiting Baroniet Rosendal is that you can spend the night on the grounds with their on-site accommodation, Avisgar and Fruehus. Prices range from 1680 NOK (+/-$159) for a double room including breakfast to 1280 NOK (+/-$121) for a single room including breakfast. Extra beds can be requested at 500 NOK (+/-$47.50) for an adult or 300 NOK ($28.50) for a child.
Dining at Baroniet Rosendal
Whether you’re a staying guest or a day visitor, you will have a few dining options:
Breakfast for day visitors = +/- 200 NOK (+/-$19)
Packed Lunch (for overnight guests only) = 150 NOK (+/-$14.50)
Dinner at the Farm or Garden Café = +/- 690 NOK (+/-$65.50)
Lunch at the Garden Café (for pre-booked groups only) = +/-345 NOK (+/-$33)
Dinner at the Manor House (for pre-booked groups only) = TBD
Making Baroniet Rosendal a Stop Along Your Norwegian Road Trip
Baroniet Rosendal makes the perfect stop along a Norwegian road trip since it’s so conveniently located along most of the popular road trip routes. For example, road-tripping from Oslo to Rosendal will take you roughly 6.5 hours.
If you plan your road trip in such a way that you start your outing to Rosendal from Bergen that day, it’ll take roughly 2.5 hours and include a ferry trip. The best and most convenient way to do your road-tripping is by renting a motorhome in Norway. Come cruise around the country, exploring Norway’s incredible landscapes and heritage, and be captivated by the fusion of history, culture, and natural beauty found at Baroniet Rosendal.
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