The Fredriksten Fortress, a famous Norwegian historical monument, was built in compliance with an express royal order. It took 40 years to build the fortress, with the construction work starting in 1661 and ending in 1701.
The idea behind the fortress was to reinforce security at the volatile Swedish-Norwegian border. The fortress is located in Halden, a Norwegian border town that neighbors Sweden. The once battle fortress is now a memorial to Scandinavian military operations.
History of the Fredriksten Fortress
Fredriksten Fortress replaced the Bohus border fortress. The new fortress was named after Fredrick III, the king of Denmark and Norway at the time. The fortress occupies a relatively extensive area measuring 2,000 square meters (or 21,528 feet). It contains bastions, powder houses, deep passageways, and storehouses.
The designers of the fortress built it in response to constant Swedish attacks on the Halden frontier post. The area was considered vulnerable to unexpected enemy attacks. Despite its checkered history, the Fredriksten Fortress had virtually lost its military significance by 1905. It, however, continued to host various military units.
The fortress currently hosts the Norwegian administrative college and the defense logistics. Further, the Fredriksten Fortress is a popular venue for art exhibitions and museums. In the summer, the fortress regularly hosts classic and contemporary music exhibitions.
A Military Memorial
The Fredriksten Fortress is an important military memorial. In January 1660, Sweden attacked Halden for the third time, and the Fredriksten Fortress took center stage in a battle for the first time. The Swedes were forced to prepare a regular siege after they failed to storm the fortifications. Soon the troops retreated to Bohuslen in February and remained there until the news came that King Charles X (of Sweden) had died.
In 1673 the Danish government dispatched Ulrik Frederik to Norway with a brief to organize the military forces and reinforce the kingdom’s defenses. Following his tour of the facilities, Frederik recommended further upgrades to the military forces and the fortress. The current star-shaped fortress complex was eventually upgraded between 1661-1675, as this was a period of relative peace.
Later at the end of the Great Northern War, King Charles XII of Sweden tried to seize Frederiksten Fortress by storm. The king’s troops captured the town after some fierce fighting. The citizens, however, set fire to their houses, forcing the troops to retreat until the heavy siege guns arrived. Unfortunately, the entire Swedish transport battalion was captured by Tordenskjold, the Norwegian naval hero.
The various battles proved that the Fredriksten Fortress could not be messed with.
A Beautiful Tourist Attraction
Today, the well-preserved fort serves as a beautiful tourist attraction. Visitors to the fortress can enjoy a panoramic view of Halden City from the monument’s location. Further, anyone can visit the fortress at any time, without restrictions. However, those who wish to visit the fortress museum are required to buy a ticket. Visitors can enjoy guided tours during the summer months.