The Top 5 Most Haunted Places in Oslo

Worldwide England is recognized as a land of ghosts, but let me persuade you that Norway is no worse option for those of you who are looking for supernatural activities and gothic atmosphere. A top 5 most haunted places in and around Oslo is introduced to your notice.

1. Akershus Fortress

If you live in Oslo or have ever been to this beautiful city, then there is no doubt that you have seen a magnificent fortress towering over the clear blue waters of the fjord. Except for being the most famous and most important tourist attraction in the Norwegian capital, this medieval castle is definitely worth your attention because of the mystical events happening in its walls.

If during your visit at the Akershus Fortress you hear barking and notice a black dog with bloody jaws and flaming eyes without an owner (because who wouldn't love to have such a cute creature from the depths of Hell as a pet?!), you'd better turn around and change your way, unless you want to meet Malcanisen, a devilish dog.

Yes, I know you think that all dogs are cute and that you like all pictures of puppies on Instagram, but Malcanisen is a menacing ghost, who knows no mercy and brings only terrible misfortunes up to agonizing death to everyone, who will look him in the eyes.

The legend states that constructors of the fortress buried a dog alive in the walls, because they believed it would bring luck and that the dog would become a patron of the Akershus Fortress. Oh, how wrong they were!

According to people's reports numerous ghosts reside in the Akershus Fortress and there is a thrilling story behind each of them.

2. The ruins of the Nes Church

This ancient church in Nes, initially built in the XIIth century, is fairly called one of the most haunted places in Norway. Its walls conceal a lot of mysteries and dark secrets. A priest who hanged himself inside the church, infant corpses buried under the altar, young and innocent newlyweds who drowned in the river close by… Some argue that the whole area is swarmed with sinister spirits who could not find peace. What is true? What is not? We will never know.

However, the specific atmosphere and gloomy fame of this spiritual place do not prevent happy couples from getting married there. The ruins of the Nes Church are best reached by car (50 minutes from Oslo Central Station). Do not hesitate to visit this historic place, but note that it might be a little crowded at Halloween time - dozens of «ghosthunters» sit there for hours to detect some kind of supernatural activity.

3. Fredriksten Fortress in Halden

Autumn of 1718… Humiliated after a number of serious defeats in frames of the Northern War, a Swedish king Charles XII with his huge army came to the borders of Norway to conquer it. Did the soldiers of the Fredriskten Fortress have a chance? Yes, just one. A hand of one of them did not shake and the bullet hit the aim. Charles XII, whose ambitions induced him to make the rivers of Europe run red, met his sudden, premature demise by the walls of the Fredriksten Fortress. He became the last European monarch to die in the battle.

It is said his defiant spirit, hungry for power and fame, still wanders around the fortress, sighing and cursing the soldier who pulled the trigger. No wonder Charles XII could not find peace without achieving his goal – during his lifetime he was called “ironhead” because of his stubbornness and pertinacity.

Just 2 hours by train from Oslo and you will see the famous fortress, enjoy the history and maybe even see the royal ghost. The king got a brilliant education and could speak many foreign languages, so it seems a discussion with his spirit would be indeed exciting.

4. Eidsvoll Verk`s Forest

Eidsvoll Verk, 30 minutes away from Oslo, is famous for the building, where the Norwegian Constitution was adopted. The building is surrounded by a lovely park that turns into a forest as you walk further. Nowadays the area looks great and is perfect for a pleasant hike, but a couple of centuries ago criminals were hanged in that forest along the road. There is a legend about one of the criminals who was sentenced to death and executed in that area.

The children who were watching the procedure (yes, it was a common thing to do, since there were no cinemas or PlayStation 5 at the time) decided to steal his head and hide it in the woods. A headless hanged man had to rise from the dead to find his head and put it back where it was supposed to be. If you meet him there, may God help you, because the walking dead would most likely want to borrow your head until he finds his own.

5. Old Lier Sanatorium near Drammen

Hasn`t your blood started to boil in your veins from all the spooky things you`ve just read? Then the show must go on…Old Lier Sanatorium is the only place on the list that you cannot visit, because the main old building has been recently demolished. As researchers of supernatural activities tell us, you can destroy the house, but by doing you still won`t banish the ghosts from the land. You are free to come and have a walk around the area…if you dare.

For decades inside the walls of the Lier Sanatorium the patients were tortured and kept in degrading conditions. Instead of getting proper treatment and care they were subject to illegal medical experiments and drugs tests. Since 1985 the building has been abandoned by the living, but most likely was not left by the dead. Reckless people who visited the sanatorium told on their social media accounts about the creeping shadows, inhuman howling and constant terrifying feeling of being watched. The walls of the rooms were covered with nail marks, and we can only imagine what kind of horrors happened there…If there are ghosts in that place, they are definitely looking for revenge.

It is your choice to believe in an Afterlife or not. We cannot promise that you will meet ghosts there, but it is guaranteed that you`ll have an interesting time. All the above-mentioned places form a historic and cultural heritage of Norway, and you can visit them free of charge. As Stephen King used to say: «Monsters are real, ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win». Have a splendid and spooktacular October!