Sverresborg is the site of a fortress, or series of fortresses, first built in the 1100s and considered to be Norway’s first medieval castle. It played a role in the ongoing civil war between various factions and the usual crop of pretenders to the throne. Sverre wanted to reduce the power of the Church in Norway, and the bishops objected. It was destroyed twice by Sverre’s enemies…turns out that it doesn’t much matter how strong your fortress is, if someone inside opens the back door to the enemy.
In 2014 and 2016, some exciting discoveries were made when archeologists excavated the well in the center of the fortress. According to “Sverre’s Saga”, after the invading forces captured the castle, they killed a man, threw him into the well, then dumped all of the castle’s sewage in on top of him, followed by stones from the walls which they forced the defeated army to tear down. In 2014, a single body was discovered in the well, lending credence to the old story.
A couple of artist’s renderings of what the castle might have looked like in 1183.
This is what’s left…the walls are about 5’ thick!
But there are wonderful views!!
As with other Scandinavian open-air museums, there is a collection of houses and farm buildings from around the provice (Trondelag). This house is from Röros.
Impressive hinges on this other house!
Farm buildings…birchbark was used as a water-tight layer under the roofs.
The following pictures are from a community building designed for weddings. The first picture is the inside of a door that would have been open (as shown) as the wedding party entered. The next two are of fancy interior furniture. The 4th picture is of the highly decorative ceiling. Outside of this building is rather plain, attracting neither Lars’ or Sheila’s cameras.
The main attraction is this brightly decorated house below, the home of a wealthy farmer. It, too, contains elaborately decorated walls and furniture. The setting for this attractive house makes it even more appealing.
It was “re-enactment day”, or something. Lots of people all dressed up and trying to convince you it was 1818, or whenever.
A Saami storehouse, raised up to deter critters from getting to the food and other essentials stored inside.
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