A national 21-gun salute from Sverresborg at Bergenhus Fortress. At 13:00 in 2027 because Constitution Day falls on Whit Monday. A salute is fired at Haakonsvern at the same time.
A national greeting on Constitution Day
At 13:00 on 17 May 2027, the national ceremonial gun salute is fired from Sverresborg at Bergenhus Fortress. Bergen joins the Armed Forces’ ceremonial marking of Constitution Day at salute stations across Norway.
A salute is also fired at 13:00 from Haakonsvern naval base. The two locations connect Bergen to a nationwide tradition in which cannon fire serves as a ceremonial greeting to the nation.
Why 13:00 in 2027?
17 May 2027 falls on Whit Monday. The salute is therefore scheduled for 13:00, after church service hours. The usual time on weekdays that are not religious holidays is 12:00. On Sundays and religious holidays, salutes must take place outside church service hours.
A ceremonial 21-gun salute
A standard national salute consists of 21 rounds, with five seconds between each. A salute commander leads the ceremony, and the crew follows fixed commands. Each round forms part of a controlled ceremony rather than a military exercise or combat operation.
A salute is a greeting. In the Armed Forces, gun salutes mark national anniversaries and royal occasions. Constitution Day is one of the regular salute occasions, alongside events including Liberation and Veterans Day on 8 May.
Bergenhus and Sverresborg
Sverresborg stands on the hill east of Bergenhus, with a history dating back to King Sverre’s reign in the twelfth century. Bergen’s city encyclopaedia dates its construction to 1183. The area was later developed with ramparts and batteries and became part of the defences at Bergenhus.
Today, the salute gives this historic military site a ceremonial role. From the hill above Bergenhus, a greeting marks Constitution Day and recalls the connection between the city’s history and Norway’s shared celebration.
Two different salute traditions in the city
The Bergenhus salute at 13:00 is the national ceremonial salute. Earlier in the day, the Royal Norwegian Navy also performs local salutes from Skansen at 07:00 and at 10:30, marking the opening of the day and the start of the Main Procession.
Practical information
Time: 17 May 2027 at 13:00. Location: Sverresborg at Bergenhus Fortress. A salute is fired simultaneously from Haakonsvern naval base.
Gun salutes produce extremely loud bangs. Keep a safe distance, respect barriers and follow the crew’s instructions. Use hearing protection near the salute area, especially for children. The map marker identifies the Sverresborg area, rather than a designated viewing point.
Mention of the Haakonsvern salute does not imply public access to the naval base. It can be heard from the surrounding area; visits inside the base require arranged access.
Find Sverresborg on the interactive map.
Sources: Forsvarsbygg on gun salutes, the Armed Forces’ guide to customs and etiquette, and Bergen city encyclopaedia on Sverresborg.