Archbishop's Palace
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The Archbishop's Palace is a stone castle complex built in the early 13th century, and has served as the residence of archbishops, sheriffs, and has also been used as a warehouse. Today, the oldest part, the Nordfløya with its massive stone staircase, is used as a banquet hall for important receptions and dinners. In 1556, the Archbishop's Palace became the residence of the sheriff and was therefore called the King's Farm. Between 1614 and 1625, major renovations were carried out to transform it into a Renaissance castle. The buildings have been exposed to several fires, and in August 1983 parts of the complex were destroyed, leading to the loss of irreplaceable cultural relics and historical material. Two large wooden buildings, the Southern and Eastern Storage Buildings, burned to the ground. For over 800 years, the Archbishop's Palace has been a meeting place for powerful men and a venue for important meetings and grand parties. Now, the building hosts exhibitions of several national treasures, including the coronation regalia of King Haakon and Queen Maud.