Where old crafts become attractions

Some of Akershus’ main attractions bring together great tales of old crafts and beautiful scenery, making for truly memorable outings. At Fetsund Lenser, Norway’s only preserved timber floating facility, you can borrow a life jacket and explore the art of timber floating, right next to Northern Europe’s largest inland delta.

The village of Bærums verk was founded 400 years ago to boost the Dano-Norwegian iron production. Recent restorations have turned old buildings and iron production facilities into a unique shopping commons. The village remains a hub for traditional crafts, and you still find the workshops of blacksmiths, glass blowers and woodworkers along the main street.

A county rich in fjord-side gems

A visit to Akershus should also include a day or two in Drøbak, a former fisherman's village where small wooden houses, century-old streets and whiffs of sea air encapsulates the essence of summer. The stately Oscarsborg Fortress, with exhibitions, subterranean tunnels, beaches and outdoor culture events, is only a short ferry ride away.

Akershus' fjord-side attractions also include Henie Onstad Art Center, based on the art collection of  figure skater and actress Sonja Henie and her husband Nils Onstad. Ever since its opening in 1968, the centre has contributed seminal exhibitions in modernism and contemporary art, as well as music and performance programmes.

The birth place of Norwegian independence

In April of 1814, in the wake of the Napoleonic wars, Eidsvoll in Akershus hosted a national assembly where 112 delegates gathered for six weeks and wrote and ratified the Norwegian Constitution. 

The house where the assembly took place, the Eidsvoll Building, now serves as a national monument and museum. Visit to learn about the intense and dramatic weeks that laid the foundation for Norway’s independence, and other topics related to freedom and democracy.