Old Aker Church

Oslo, Norway

Old Aker Church (Gamle Aker kirke) is Oslo's oldest remaining building and the only remaining church from the Middle Ages. It is assumed that it was built around the year 1150. It is a stone church, built as a three-naved Roman-style basilica.

The church has been pillaged and ravaged by fire several times. The oldest part of the surrounding churchyard dates back to the 12th century. The church has a baroque pulpit and baptismal font from 1715. The tower was built in 1861.

The church was built over an old silver mine, Akersberg which was in use since the early Viking age. The mines are mentioned in the 1170 Historia Norvegiae. The mines must have been the inspiration for a number of stories about the church having hidden silver treasures and even dungeons with dragons.

References:

Address

Telthusbakken 13B, Oslo, Norway

See all sites in Oslo

Details

Founded: c. 1150
Category: Religious sites in Norway

More Information

www.visitoslo.com
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Oscarsborg Fortress (28,9 km)
Sister Churches (50,7 km)
St. Margaret's Church (8,1 km)
Hurum Church (38 km)
Nesodden Church (13,5 km)
Haslum Church (10,1 km)
Grorud Church (8,6 km)
Ski Church (23,3 km)
Karljohansvern (56,4 km)

User Reviews

Chris Bartlett (2 years ago)
What an amazing church. Went there for a wedding. Visit if you can just to see one of the oldest buildings in Oslo. It is worth it. Simple beautiful

Goran A. (2 years ago)
As it is a little away from the center, walking to it is definitely worth as it is one interesting building that has somewhat traditional church architecture, but the interior is very captivating as it has very thick columns and quite good religious atmosphere.

xench (2 years ago)
Oldest church in Oslo, worth the visit when you’re nearby, has a cemetery included.

Denis Sakhno (3 years ago)
We were fascinated by this old church and the street that leads to it - Telthusbakken

Marie F. (4 years ago)
The oldest standing medieval building in Oslo is Gamle Aker church, beautiful and unforgettable. Old cemetery with spectacular view over city.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright CONTROTONO

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum

The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Its history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.