Håkonshallet celebrates 750 years
Photo: Petr Šmerkl, Wikipedia
His Majesty King Harald was present when Haakon’s Hall was celebrated with a gala dinner Thursday evening.
Haakon’s Hall is part of Bergenhus Fortress, and was built by King Håkon as a royal residence and banqueting hall 750 years ago.
In those days, Bergen was Norway’s most important city, and key events took place in Haakon’s Hall. It was here that Magnus Håkonsson Lagabøte celebrated his wedding with Danish Princess Ingeborg in 1261, and Magnus Lagabøte’s Laws – Norway’s first national body of laws – were probably designed here between 1274 and 1276.
Tonight both the King and government officials will attend the gala dinner celebrating Haakon’s Hall and its place in Norwegian history and tradition. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is hosting the dinner party.
Haakon’s Hall has been the focus of a series of events during the last week. It started with a two-day conference that explores the architecture, symbolic power and history of the hall. Later came the anniversary show, church service, medieval parade, receptions and public events at the castle.
Since the King and members of the government found themselves in Bergen, the Council of State (Statsråd) was held in the morning in the King’s residence Gamlehaugen. It is the first time the King has held the Council of State in Bergen since King Haakon’s coronation, on July 24, 1906.
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