Norwegian fortresses or

fortification A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Lati ...

s have been constructed from some of the earliest recorded periods, down through the 20th century. The geography and topography of glacially carved, mountainous

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of ...

constrain both the sea and the land routes which an aggressor must follow. Natural strong-points, such as rock outcroppings at

Halden Halden (), between 1665 and 1928 known as Fredrikshald, is both a List of cities in Norway, town and a Municipalities of Norway, municipality in Østfold Counties of Norway, county, Norway. The municipality borders Sarpsborg to the northwest, R ...

Tønsberg Tønsberg (), historically Tunsberg, is a List of towns and cities in Norway, city in Tønsberg Municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. It is located about south-southwest of the capital city of Oslo on the western coast of the Oslofjord near ...

and

Trondheim Trondheim ( , , ; ), historically Kaupangen, Nidaros, and Trondhjem (), is a city and municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. As of 2022, it had a population of 212,660. Trondheim is the third most populous municipality in Norway, and is ...

make excellent bases for fortification (i.e., natural fortresses). Fortifications evolved to accommodate the offensive threat which they guard against. Early castles provided a strong defense against the attack of the day, and were normally taken by duplicity or siege. In the age of black powder, cannon allowed breaching of the fortress walls and subsequent taking by storm. As a result, fortresses changed form, now incorporating design features like the

bastion A bastion is a structure projecting outward from the curtain wall of a fortification, most commonly angular in shape and positioned at the corners of the fort. The fully developed bastion consists of two faces and two flanks, with fire from the ...

ravelin A ravelin is a triangular fortification or detached outwork, located in front of the innerworks of a fortress (the curtain walls and bastions). Originally called a ''demi-lune'', after the ''lunette'', the ravelin is placed outside a castle a ...

, and

glacis A glacis (, ) in military engineering is an artificial slope as part of a medieval castle or in early modern fortresses. They may be constructed of earth as a temporary structure or of stone in more permanent structure. More generally, a glaci ...

to allow cannon within the fortress to be effective while protecting the walls and defenders from external attack. This evolution of technology continued into the 20th century as weaponry continued to evolve.

Historical context for Norwegian fortresses

Civil Wars

Baltic Power Wars

Most Norwegian fortresses were constructed in the period of intense competition among the Baltic powers (Denmark-Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland and the German states) for northern supremacy. The 16th, 17th and beginning of the 18th Century was a period of virtually continuous war or preparation for war: *1563 to 1570 -

Nordic Seven Years' War The Northern Seven Years' War (also known as the ''Nordic Seven Years' War'', the ''First Northern War,'' the ''Seven Years' War of the North'' or the ''Seven Years War in Scandinavia'') was fought between the Kingdom of Sweden (1523–1611), K ...

*1611 to 1613 -

Kalmar War The Kalmar War (1611–1613) was fought between Denmark–Norway and Sweden. Though Denmark-Norway soon gained the upper hand, it was unable to defeat Sweden entirely. The Kalmar War was the last time Denmark-Norway successfully defended its '' ...

*1618 to 1648 -

Thirty Years' War The Thirty Years' War, fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, was one of the most destructive conflicts in History of Europe, European history. An estimated 4.5 to 8 million soldiers and civilians died from battle, famine ...

(See also

Hannibal War The Torstenson War was fought between Sweden and Denmark–Norway from 1643 to 1645. The name derives from Swedish general Lennart Torstenson. Denmark-Norway had withdrawn from the Thirty Years' War in the 1629 Treaty of Lübeck. After its vic ...

) *1655 to 1658 –

Northern War "Northern Wars" is a term used for a series of wars fought in northern and northeastern Europe from the 16th to the 18th century, primarily between the territorial rivals of the Swedish Empire, Tsardom of Russia, Poland–Lithuania, and Denmark ...

*1673 to 1675 – Fortification Upgrades *1675 to 1679 –

Gyldenløve War The Scanian War (; ; ; ) was a part of the Northern Wars involving the union of Denmark–Norway, Brandenburg and Sweden. It was fought from 1675 to 1679 mainly on Scanian soil, in the former Danish–Norwegian provinces along the border wit ...

*1700 to 1721 –

Great Northern War In the Great Northern War (1700–1721) a coalition led by the Tsardom of Russia successfully contested the supremacy of the Swedish Empire in Northern Europe, Northern, Central Europe, Central and Eastern Europe. The initial leaders of the ant ...

In 1600 Denmark controlled virtually all land bordering on the

Skagerrak The Skagerrak (; , , ) is a strait running between the North Jutlandic Island of Denmark, the east coast of Norway and the west coast of Sweden, connecting the North Sea and the Kattegat sea. The Skagerrak contains some of the busiest shipping ...

Kattegat The Kattegat (; ; ) is a sea area bounded by the peninsula of Jutland in the west, the Danish straits islands of Denmark and the Baltic Sea to the south and the Swedish provinces of Bohuslän, Västergötland, Halland and Scania in Swede ...

, Store Bælt and the restricted Sound (

Øresund Øresund or Öresund (, ; ; ), commonly known in English as the Sound, is a strait which forms the Denmark–Sweden border, Danish–Swedish border, separating Zealand (Denmark) from Scania (Sweden). The strait has a length of ; its width var ...

). The current Swedish provinces of

Skåne Scania ( ), also known by its native name of Skåne (), is the southernmost of the historical provinces of Sweden, provinces () of Sweden. Located in the south tip of the geographical region of Götaland, the province is roughly conterminous w ...

and

Halland Halland () is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden (''landskap''), on the western coast of Götaland, southern Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Småland, Skåne, Scania and the sea of Kattegat. Until 1645 and the Second Treaty of Br ...

were Danish and the province of

Bohuslän Bohuslän () is a Provinces of Sweden, Swedish province in Götaland, on the northernmost part of the country's west coast. It is bordered by Dalsland to the northeast, Västergötland to the southeast, the Skagerrak arm of the North Sea to the ...

was then Norwegian.

Union with Sweden

Twentieth century

Norwegian fortresses

The Castle Period (1600 and earlier)

Akershus Fortress Akershus Fortress (, ) or Akershus Castle ( ) is a medieval castle in the Norwegian capital Oslo that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city. Since the Middle Ages the fortress has been the namesake and centre of the ...

Oslo Oslo ( or ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,064,235 in 2022 ...

Audunborg Audunborg (''Auduns borg'') was a castle and fortification built by Norwegian nobleman Audun Hugleiksson on his inherited estate near the village of Ålhus on the shores of the Jølstravatn in the municipality of Jølster in Vestland county, Norw ...

Ålhus Ålhus is a small village in the municipality of Sunnfjord in Vestland county, Norway. It is located along the European route E39 highway on the northern side of the lake Jølstravatnet, in a largely agricultural area. Ålhus is located about ...

(in

Sunnfjord Municipality Sunnfjord is a municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sunnfjord. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Førde. Other villages in the municipality include Naustdal, Sande, ...

) *

Bergenhus Fortress Bergenhus fortress () is a fortress located in Bergen, Norway. Located at the entrance of Bergen harbour, the castle is one of the oldest and best preserved stone fortifications in Norway. History The fortress contains buildings dating as earl ...

Bergen Bergen (, ) is a city and municipalities of Norway, municipality in Vestland county on the Western Norway, west coast of Norway. Bergen is the list of towns and cities in Norway, second-largest city in Norway after the capital Oslo. By May 20 ...

*Broberg in Bohuslen *

Båhus Fortress Bohus Fortress lies in Kungälv, Bohuslän, Sweden, north east from Hisingen where the Göta river splits into two branches ( north of Gothenburg). It commands the surrounding area from a cliff high, with the river forming a natural moat aroun ...

*Dyngehus in Bohuslen * Hamarhus Castle in

Hamar Hamar is a List of cities in Norway, town in Hamar Municipality in Innlandet Counties of Norway, county, Norway. Hamar is the administrative centre of Hamar Municipality. It is located in the Districts of Norway, traditional region of Hedmarken. ...

* Isegran in

Fredrikstad Fredrikstad (; previously ''Frederiksstad''; literally "Fredrik's Town") is a List of cities in Norway, city and Municipalities of Norway, municipality in Østfold Counties of Norway, county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipal ...

* Kirkwall Bishop's Palace *Mjøskastellet on Steinsholmen. *

Olsborg Castle Olsborg Castle (), also ''Olofsborg'', was a fortified castle located in Tanum Municipality in Bohuslän, Sweden. It is situated on a steep cliff, and might previous to later use been an early hill fort. History Olsborg was constructed in 1502 b ...

in Bohuslen *

Oslo Kongsgård estate The Oslo Kongsgård estate ( Norwegian: ''Oslo kongsgård'') was a royal residence and fortified Kongsgård estate located in the Oslo, Norway. The ruins of the former estate and its buildings can today been seen in Middelalderparken in Old Tow ...

* Oslo Bishop's Palace *

Steinvikholm Castle Steinvikholm Castle () is an island fortress on the Skatval peninsula in the present-day Stjørdal Municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. The castle was built over seven years, from 1525 to 1532, by Norway's last Roman Catholic Archbishop, ...

Stjørdal Municipality () is a List of municipalities of Norway, municipality in Trøndelag Counties of Norway, county, Norway. It is part of the Stjørdalen Districts of Norway, region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the List of towns and cities in ...

Sverresborg Sverresborg (Norwegian:''Sverresborg i Trondheim'') or ''Sverre Sigurdsson's castle'' (''Kong Sverres borg'') was a fort and residence built in the medieval city of Nidaros (later Trondheim) by King Sverre Sigurdsson. The fortification was buil ...

Castle in

Tønsberg Fortress Tønsberg Fortress (''Tunsberghus festning'') was a medieval fortress and castle, located in Tønsberg, Norway which was defended by the fortress for over 300 years. It includes ruins from ''Castrum Tunsbergis'', Norway's largest castle in the 13 ...

Vardøhus Fortress Vardøhus Fortress (), called "Wardhouse" in English historical navigations, is located in Vardø Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. It is located in the town of Vardø (town), Vardø on the island of Vardøya on the Barents Sea near the mo ...

*Valdisholmborg *Valkaberg castle in

The Age of Black Powder (1600 - 1900)

* Fredriksberg fortress *

Fredriksholm Fortress Fredriksholm Fortress (''Fredriksholm festning'') was situated on an islet off Kristiansand, Norway. Today the former fortress is in ruins and the site is a popular place for sightseeing. Complex Fredriksholm Fortress was located one kilometer ...

(

Kristiansand Kristiansand is a city and Municipalities of Norway, municipality in Agder county, Norway. The city is the fifth-largest and the municipality is the sixth-largest in Norway, with a population of around 116,000 as of January 2020, following th ...

) *

Fredrikstad Fortress Fredrikstad fortress (''Fredrikstad festning'') was a fortification in Fredrikstad, Norway. It was the base of the Østfold Regiment, with defence related responsibilities for the east side of Oslofjord. History Fredrikstad Fortress was construc ...

* Fredriksten Fortress *

Fredriksværn Fredriksvern (also called ''Friderichsværn'' (1801), ''Frederiksværn'' (1865), ''Fredriksværen'' (1900) and abbreviated ''Frsværn'') was an important Norwegian naval base, just south of Larvik in Vestfold. It is named after Fredrik V Denmark ...

Kongsvinger Fortress Kongsvinger Fortress () is located in the city of Kongsvinger which is located within Kongsvinger Municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. It is situated on a hill west and north of the Glomma river, standing astride the ancient Vinger Royal Roa ...

* Basmo Fortress *

Blaker Fortress Blaker Fortress (''Blaker skanse'') is a former defense facility located at the village of Blaker in Akershus country, Norway. It was one of the Norwegian fortresses which were constructed in the period of intense competition among the Balti ...

* Christiansfjeld Fortress (

Elverum Elverum () is a List of municipalities of Norway, municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. It is located in the Traditional districts of Norway, traditional district of Østerdalen. The administrative centre of the municipality is the Elverum ( ...

) * Munkholmen Fortress (Trondheim) *

Staverns Fortress Staverns Fortress was a military facility located on the island of Citadelløya at Stavern in Vestfold, Norway. History The construction of Staverns Fort began in 1677 when Ulrik Frederick Gyldenløve built a blockhouse with battery and palis ...

Christiansholm Fortress Christiansholm Fortress (''Christiansholm festning'') was a Norwegian fortress built to defend the city of Kristiansand. Background The fortress was finished in 1672 and formed a part of King Christian IV's plan for defense of Kristiansand whe ...

(Kristiansand) *

Christiansø Fortress Christiansø Fortress is one of the historic Norwegian fortresses, which commands the western approaches to Flekkerøy harbor, at Kristiansand municipality in Norway. History In the early 17th century the struggle between the Netherlands Nav ...

Kristiansten Fortress Kristiansten Fortress (, historically spelled ''Christiansten'') is located on a hill east of the city of Trondheim which is located within Trondheim Municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway, named after Christian V of Denmark-Norway. It was bu ...

(Trondheim) *

Altenhus Fortress Altenhus Fortress (; also Kongshus Fortress) was a fortification built on the island of Årøya in Finnmark county in Norway in 1610. The area is part of the present-day Alta Municipality. Altenhus Fortress was intended to prevent Swedish incurs ...

(

Alta Alta or ALTA may refer to: Acronyms * Alt-A, short for Alternative A-paper, is a type of US mortgage * American Land Title Association, a national trade association representing the land title industry * American Literary Translators Association, ...

)

Modern fortresses

Hegra Fortress Hegra Fortress () is a small mountain fortress in the village of Hegra in Stjørdal Municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. Originally known as ''Ingstadkleiven Fort'' (also ''Ingstadkleiva Fort''), it was built between 1908–1910 as a b ...

* Helgøya Fortress * Kvarven Fort * Odderøya Fortress *

Oscarsborg Fortress Oscarsborg Fortress () is a coastal fortress in the Oslofjord, close to the town of Drøbak in Akershus County, Norway. The best known part is situated on two small islets: ''Nordre Kaholmen'' and ''Søndre Kaholmen''. In addition, the main art ...

Trondenes Fort Trondenes Fort is a fort situated on the Trondenes peninsula in Harstad Municipality in Troms county, Norway. It is located about north of the town of Harstad. The fort has been the main base for the Norwegian Coastal Ranger Command since 2002. ...

* Meløyvær Fortress * Møvik Fortress

References

Bibliography

*''Norges festninger'' by

Guthorm Kavli Guthorm Kavli (15 May 1917 – 1 June 1995) was a Norwegian architect and art historian. Biography Kavli was born in Trondheim, Norway. He received a degree in architecture from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in 1941 and a degree in art his ...

; Universitetsforlaget; 1987; *''The Struggle for Supremacy in the Baltic: 1600-1725'' by Jill Lisk; Funk & Wagnalls, New York, 1967 *''The Northern Wars, 1558-1721'' by Robert I. Frost; Longman, Harlow, England; 2000

External links

Akershus FortressFredrikstad FortressTrondheim FortressChristiansfjeld Fortress on digital archivesOscarsborg FortressHegra FortressMeløyvær FortressMøvik Fort
{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Norwegian Fortresses Fortresses in Norway

Fortresses A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from La ...

Forts A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from ...