Norwegian Fortresses
Encyclopedia
Norwegian fortresses or fortification
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
constrain both the sea and the land routes which an aggresser must follow. Natural strong-points, such as rock outcroppings at Halden
, Tønsberg
and Trondheim
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
, ravelin
, and glacis
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.
In 1600 Denmark controlled virtually all land bordering on the Skagerrak
, Kattegat
, Store Bælt
and the restricted Sound (Øresund). The current Swedish provinces of Skåne and Halland
were Danish and the province of Båhuslen
was then Norwegian (as they had been for all recorded history). All powers interested in Baltic trade, or otherwise forced to pass through waters controlled by Denmark, had a strong interest in breaking Denmark’s control and lifting the Sound Dues
that Denmark levied for passage through the Øresund. Hence the naval trading powers, particularly Holland and England, contributed to the Northern unrest of the period.
And the larger political balance in Europe can not be forgotten. As one example, the danger of French domination under Louis XIV
resulted in a 1668 triple alliance of England, Holland and Sweden. This alliance worked to Sweden’s favor when treaties were negotiated.
Fortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
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
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
constrain both the sea and the land routes which an aggresser must follow. Natural strong-points, such as rock outcroppings at Halden
Halden
is a both a town and a municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The seat of the municipality, Halden is a border town located at the Tista river delta on the Iddefjord, the southernmost border crossing between Norway and Sweden.-History:...
, Tønsberg
Tønsberg
is a city and municipality in Vestfold county, southern Norway, located around north-east of Sandefjord. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Tønsberg....
and Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
make excellent bases for fortification (i.e., natural fortresses).
Bastion
A bastion, or a bulwark, is a structure projecting outward from the main enclosure of a fortification, situated in both corners of a straight wall , facilitating active defence against assaulting troops...
, ravelin
Ravelin
A ravelin is a triangular fortification or detached outwork, located in front of the innerworks of a fortress...
, and glacis
Glacis
A glacis in military engineering is an artificial slope of earth used in late European fortresses so constructed as to keep any potential assailant under the fire of the defenders until the last possible moment...
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.
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
- 1611 to 1613 - Kalmar WarKalmar WarThe Kalmar War was a war between Denmark–Norway and Sweden. Though Denmark soon gained the upper hand, she was unable to defeat Sweden entirely...
- 1618 to 1648 - Thirty Years' War (See also Hannibal WarHannibal WarThe Torstenson war, Hannibal controversy or Hannibal War was a short period of conflict between Sweden and Denmark–Norway which occurred in 1643 to 1645 during the waning days of the Thirty Years' War...
) - 1655 to 1658 – Northern WarNorthern War and NorwayIn the Second Northern War from 1655 to 1660, during the reign of Charles X, Sweden was set on expansion. Through military action, Sweden rapidly became the strongest military power in the north....
- 1673 to 1675 – Fortification UpgradesFortification UpgradesFortification Upgrades was an re-organization of military forces and strengthening of the defenses of Norway.Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, Count of Laurvig was statholder of Norway from 1664 to 1699....
- 1675 to 1679 – Gyldenløve War
- 1700 to 1721 – Great Northern WarGreat Northern War and NorwayThe Great Northern War was the war fought between a coalition of Denmark–Norway, Russia and Saxony-Poland on one side and Sweden on the other side from 1700 to 1721. It started by a coordinated attack on Sweden by the coalition in 1700, and ended 1721 with the conclusion of the Treaty of Nystad,...
In 1600 Denmark controlled virtually all land bordering on the Skagerrak
Skagerrak
The Skagerrak is a strait running between Norway and the southwest coast of Sweden and the Jutland peninsula of Denmark, connecting the North Sea and the Kattegat sea area, which leads to the Baltic Sea.-Name:...
, Kattegat
Kattegat
The Kattegat , or Kattegatt is a sea area bounded by the Jutland peninsula and the Straits islands of Denmark on the west and south, and the provinces of Västergötland, Scania, Halland and Bohuslän in Sweden on the east. The Baltic Sea drains into the Kattegat through the Øresund and the Danish...
, Store Bælt
Great Belt
The Great Belt is a strait between the main Danish islands of Zealand and Funen . Effectively dividing Denmark in two, the Belt was served by the Great Belt ferries from the late 19th century until the islands were connected by the Great Belt Fixed Link in 1997–98.-Geography:The Great Belt is the...
and the restricted Sound (Øresund). The current Swedish provinces of Skåne and Halland
Halland
' is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden , on the western coast of Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Småland, Scania and the sea of Kattegat.-Administration:...
were Danish and the province of Båhuslen
Bohuslän
' is a Swedish traditional province, or landskap, situated 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 west, and the county of Østfold in Norway to the north...
was then Norwegian (as they had been for all recorded history). All powers interested in Baltic trade, or otherwise forced to pass through waters controlled by Denmark, had a strong interest in breaking Denmark’s control and lifting the Sound Dues
Sound Dues
The Sound Dues were a toll on the use of the Sound which constituted up to two thirds of Denmark's state income in the 16th and 17th centuries...
that Denmark levied for passage through the Øresund. Hence the naval trading powers, particularly Holland and England, contributed to the Northern unrest of the period.
And the larger political balance in Europe can not be forgotten. As one example, the danger of French domination under Louis XIV
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
resulted in a 1668 triple alliance of England, Holland and Sweden. This alliance worked to Sweden’s favor when treaties were negotiated.
The Castle Period (1600 and earlier)
- Akershus FortressAkershus FortressAkershus Fortress or Akershus Castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. It has also been used as a prison.- Construction :...
in OsloOsloOslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King... - AudunborgAudunborgAudunborg or Hegrenes-borga was a castle and fortification built by Audun Hugleiksson on his inherited estate at Ålhus on the shore of the Jølstravatn in the municipality of Jølster in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway. It is about northeast of the village of Vassenden.-History:The castle was built...
in JølsterJølsterJølster is a municipality in the county of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Sunnfjord. The administrative centre is the village of Skei... - Bergenhus FortressBergenhus FortressBergenhus fortress is a fortress located in Bergen, Norway. Bergenhus fortress is located in the entrance to the harbor in Bergen. This is one of the oldest and best preserved castles in Norway.-History:...
in Bergen - Båhus Fortress
- HamarhusHamarhusHamarhus castle, the fortified palace of the bishop, in Hamar was destroyed in 1570 by the Swedish armies during the Nordic Seven Years' War.-References:* History of the Norwegian People by Knut Gjerset, The MacMillan Company, 1915, Volumes II...
Castle in HamarHamaris a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Hamar. The municipality of Hamar was separated from Vang as a town and municipality of its own in 1849... - Isegran in FredrikstadFredrikstadis a city and municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Fredrikstad....
- Steinvikholm CastleSteinvikholm CastleSteinvikholm Castle is an island fortress on the Skatval peninsula near Stjørdal, in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. The castle was built over seven years, from 1525 to 1532, for Norway's last Catholic archbishop, Olav Engelbrektsson....
in StjørdalStjørdalis a municipality in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Stjørdalen region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Stjørdal, also called Stjørdalshalsen... - SverresborgSverresborgSverresborg or Sverre Sigurdsson's castle was a fortification built in the medieval city of Nidaros by Sverre Sigurdsson....
Castle in TrondheimTrondheimTrondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of... - SverresborgSverresborg (Bergen)Sverresborg is a fortress and former castle situated in the Norwegian city of Bergen.-History:It was built by king Sverre Sigurdsson in the mid 1180's, 250 meters northeast of Bergenhus fortress. King Sverre Sigurdsson also had a Sverresborg built in Trondheim...
Castle in Bergen - Tønsberg FortressTønsberg FortressTønsberg Fortress was a medieval fortress, located in Tønsberg, Norway which was defended by the fortress for over 300 years.-History:...
- Vardøhus FortressVardøhus FortressVardøhus Fortress is located in Vardø municipality in the county of Finnmark on the Barents Sea on the mouth of the Varangerfjord in north-eastern Norway near the Russian border.-History:...
The Age of Black Powder (1600 - 1900)
- Fredriksberg fortressFredriksberg fortressFredriksberg fort is a Norwegian fortification located at the highest point of Nordnes in Bergen.-History:The Norwegian fortress Fredriskberg lay strategically placed on Nordnes’ highest point with a precipitous cliff face to the sea on the west side...
- Fredrikstad FortressFredrikstad FortressFredrikstad fortress was a fortification in Fredrikstad, Norway. It was the base of the Østfold Regiment, with defence related responsibilities for the east side of Oslo Fjord.-History:...
- Fredriksten FortressFredriksten-History:This Fortresses was constructed ny Denmark-Norway in the 17th century as a replacement for the border fortress at Bohus, which had been lost when the province of Bohuslän was ceded to Sweden by the terms of the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658...
- FredriksværnFredriksværnFredriksvern was an important Norwegian naval base, just south of Larvik in Vestfold. The town of Stavern has in many ways come to be because of this naval base.Fredriksvern or Stavern has probably been a harbor since ancient times...
- Kongsvinger FortressKongsvinger FortressKongsvinger Fortress is located in the city and municipality of Kongsvinger in the county of Hedmark, Norway. It is situated on a hill west and north of the Glomma river, standing astride the ancient Vinger Royal Road, which connected Norway and Värmland, Sweden as well as on the north-south...
- Basmo FortressBasmo FortressBasmo fortress is located in the north-western part of Marker municipality in Østfold near the Swedish border on an isolated mountain outcropping between Rødenessjøen and Hemnessjøen....
- Blaker FortressBlaker FortressBlaker Fortress is one of the Norwegian fortresses which were constructed in the period of intense competition among the Baltic powers for northern supremacy...
- Christiansfjell FortressChristiansfjell FortressChristiansfjel Fortress was initially established by Count Wedel-Jarlsberg in 1683 as Hammersberg Skanse. A tower with a cellar powder magazine was among the first buildings at this Norwegian fortress....
- Munkholmen FortressMunkholmenMunkholmen is an islet north of Trondheim, Norway. It sits in the Trondheimsfjord about northwest of the island of Brattøra and the mouth of the river Nidelva. The islet has served as a place of execution, a monastery, a fortress, prison, and a World War II anti-aircraft gun station...
(Trondheim) - Staverns FortressStaverns FortressThe construction of Staverns Fortress began in 1677 when Ulrik Frederick Gyldenløve built a blockhouse with battery and palisades on a hill at Stavern, Norway as part of the overall development of Norwegian fortresses. The fort was first built on Karlsøy during the Gyldenløve War .The fortress was...
- Christiansholm FortressChristiansholm FortressChristiansholm Fortress was a Norwegian fortress built to defend the city of Kristiansand.The fortress was finished in 1672 and formed a part of King Christian IV's plan for defense of Kristiansand when the city was founded in 1641. The architect of the fortress was quartermaster general Willem...
- Christiansø FortressChristiansø FortressChristiansø Fortress is one of the historic Norwegian fortresses, which commands the western approaches to Flekkerøy harbor, at Kristiansand municipality in Norway.-17th Century:...
- Kristiansten FortressKristiansten FortressKristiansten Fortress is located on a hill east of the city of Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. It was built after the city fire of Trondheim in 1681 to protect the city against attack from the east. Construction was finished in 1685. It fulfilled its purpose in 1718 when Swedish forces...
(Trondheim)
Modern fortresses
- Hegra FortressHegra fortressHegra Fortress is a small mountain fortress in the village of Hegra in the municipality of Stjørdal in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. Originally known as Ingstadkleiven Fort , it was built between 1907–1910 as a border fort as a defence against the perceived threat of a Swedish...
- Kvarven FortKvarven fortKvarven Fort is a mountain fort strategically located by the coastal entry to Bergen, Norway.- Construction :In the late 1800s, relations between the two countries in the union between Sweden and Norway had gradually worsened; Norwegians were discontent and wanted independence. To account for the...
- Oscarsborg FortressOscarsborg FortressOscarsborg Fortress is a coastal fortress in the Oslofjord, close to the small town of Drøbak. The fortress is situated on two small islets, and on the mainland to the west and east, in the fjord and was military territory until 2003 when it was made a publicly available resort island...
- Trondenes FortTrondenes FortTrondenes Fort is a fort situated on Trondenes peninsula near Harstad in the Norwegian county of Troms.It has been the main base for the Norwegian Coastal Ranger Command since 2002. The fort was built in 1943 by the Nazis occupying Norway during World War II as a part of the Atlantic Wall.It was...