Open House Bergen - visit three of the University´s most unique and inspiring buildings
On September 21st, we will open our doors and invite everyone to explore three of the University of Bergen's most beautiful buildings: Knut Fægris hus, Fastings Minde, and Tårnsalen, all located at Nygårdshøyden.
Main content
The University of Bergen is participating this year in the annual Open House Bergen, an architectural festival that invites all citizens to take a peek behind the doors of some of the city’s most interesting and beautiful houses and buildings. The entire festival takes place from September 20th to 21st, and you can view the program for the festival on the Bergen Open House website. The University of Bergen will open its doors on September 21st.
Welcome!
Our locations:
KNUT FÆGRIS HUS
Time: 11:00–15:00
Adresss: Villaveien 9
Construction year: 1885
Architect: Schak Bull
Villaveien 9 is an impressive brick villa in the Neo-Renaissance style, located in Nygårdsparken, in a former upscale bourgeois area. Originally constructed as a private residence with an English landscape garden, the villa remains well-preserved both externally and in parts of its interior.
The villa was acquired by the University of Bergen in 1960 and renovated in 1995-96. Today, it houses event spaces on the ground and basement levels, as well as accommodations for international guest researchers on the second floor. In 2001, the building was named after the botanist Knut Fægris.
TÅRNSALEN
Time: 11:00–15:00
Address: Muséplass 3
Construction year: the 19th century
Architect: Johan Henrik Nebelong
Tårnsalen, located at the top of the University Museum of Bergen, is a magnificent and well-preserved 19th-century room. Originally constructed for the museum's art collection, it opened in 1865. The room featured high ceilings, expansive wall surfaces, and skylights, but due to leaks, it was converted into an exhibition space for zoological collections. After nearly 100 years of being closed to the public as storage, the room was restored from 2015 to 2018. Today, it is mainly used for official purposes and is accessible during Open House Bergen, offering a rare glimpse into one of Bergen's architectural treasures.
FASTINGS MINDE
Time: 11:00–15:00
Address: Haakon Sheteligs plass 11
Construction year: 1790
Architect: unknown
Fastings Minde is the oldest building at Nygårdshøyden and is part of the University of Bergen. The wooden structure was built around 1790 as the main building of Claus Fastings’ villa, featuring two and a half stories and a basement. In the 1830s, it was expanded with two wings, giving it its current distinctive appearance. A well-preserved example of Bergen’s historical wooden architecture, its cultural significance is noteworthy. It served as Rosenberg asylum from 1865 until becoming part of UiB in 1967. After a thorough restoration from 2018 to 2020, it now houses the administration for the Holberg Prize.