Gamlehaugen

Gamlehaugen is a castle-style mansion in Bergen, Norway, set above the Nordåsvannet inlet in the Fana district. Since 1927 it has served as the Norwegian royal family's residence in the city, and it sits within a large English-style landscape park that is open to walkers for most of the year. If you enjoy a mix of architecture, history and greenery, it is one of the most rewarding stops outside Bergen's centre.

How did Gamlehaugen come to be?

The estate has roots reaching back to the Middle Ages, and over the centuries it belonged to a number of Bergen's wealthiest merchants. The turning point came in 1898, when Christian Michelsen bought it. A politician and shipping magnate, he became the first prime minister of independent Norway after the union with Sweden was dissolved in 1905. Michelsen had the existing Swiss chalet-style house pulled down and commissioned a new main building. Architect Jens Zetlitz Monrad Kielland drew up the design, and construction was complete around 1900. The result echoes a Scottish baronial castle, with turrets and lively detailing. Michelsen lived here for most of the rest of his life.

What is the park like?

The farmland that once surrounded the house was turned into a landscaped park in the English style, a task given to gardener Olav Moen. Paths, lawns and mature trees lead down toward the shoreline, with views over the water and wooded hills. Locals use it for quiet strolls and picnics.

How did the state acquire it?

After Michelsen died in 1925, his close friends and colleagues launched a national fundraising campaign. It raised enough for the Norwegian state to buy the property. The park opened to the public that same year, and two years later the ground floor of the house became a museum. Gamlehaugen has been the royal residence in Bergen since 1927 and remains state property.

What can you see inside?

The interiors are well preserved and convey the atmosphere of the turn of the twentieth century. Highlights include dragon-style decoration, a sizeable art collection, Rococo furniture and taxidermied animals, a fashionable decorative touch of the era. The house itself opens to visitors only for limited hours, mainly in summer, so check the official website for current dates before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Gamlehaugen? The park is open almost all year. The interior is open seasonally for a few hours a day, so confirm hours and ticket prices in advance.

Where is Gamlehaugen? In the southern part of Bergen on Gamlehaugvegen, roughly 10 km from the city centre, beside the Nordåsvannet inlet.

Does the royal family live here full time? No. It is their official residence in Bergen, used when they visit the city.

Who designed the building? Jens Zetlitz Monrad Kielland, commissioned by Christian Michelsen.

What else is nearby? Fantoft Stave Church and Troldhaugen, the former home of composer Edvard Grieg, are both close, so Gamlehaugen fits well into a day exploring Bergen's southern districts.