Arendelle castle would definitely have looked completely different if it wasn't for the Akershus Fortress in Oslo. Located right in the centre of the Norwegian capital, the building goes back to 1299, when king H?kon V started its construction. It was modernised and converted into a royal residence in the 16th century.

While Arendelle is a fictional kingdom from Disney's Frozen, its design was heavily inspired by the architecture and landscape of Norway. The "real" castle that most closely resembles Arendelle's castle is the Akershus Fortress in Oslo, which features the distinctive green-roofed towers and stone walls seen in the films. The aesthetic of the town of Arendelle was primarily modeled after Bergen, particularly the UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf with its colorful wooden buildings and pointed gables. Additionally, the interior "Stave Church" designs were inspired by the Borgund Stave Church. For a more literal experience in 2026, fans can visit the "World of Frozen" at Hong Kong Disneyland or the upcoming "Kingdom of Arendelle" at Disneyland Paris, where imagineers have built a full-scale replica of the castle and the surrounding village. In these parks, every detail from the North Mountain to Elsa's Ice Palace has been recreated with incredible cinematic accuracy for guests to explore.