List of forts in Norway

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Norwegian fortresses or fortifications 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 aggressor must follow. Natural strong-points, such as rock outcroppings at Halden, Tønsberg and Trondheim make excellent bases for fortification (i.e., natural fortresses).

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Akershus Fortress OSLO-NO-02 05 ubt.jpeg
Akershus Fortress

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.

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:

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.

Union with Sweden

Twentieth century

Norwegian fortresses

The Castle Period (1600 and earlier)

The Age of Black Powder (1600 - 1900)

Modern fortresses

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fredriksten</span> Historic fortress in Halden, Viken, Norway

Fredriksten is a fortress in the city of Halden in Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akershus Fortress</span> Medieval castle in Oslo, Norway

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 main fief and later main county of Akershus, which was originally one of Norway's four main regions and which included most of Eastern Norway. The fortress itself was located within the Akershus main county until 1919, and also within the smaller Akershus sub county until 1842.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oscarsborg Fortress</span> Coastal fortress in the Oslofjord, Norway

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 artillery batteries were on the island Håøya and smaller batteries were on the mainland to the west and east of the fjord. The fortress is best known for sinking the German heavy cruiser Blücher on 9 April 1940. The fortress was military territory until 2003 when it was made into a publicly available museum and resort. In 2014, Oscarsborg Fortress was given protected status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johan Caspar von Cicignon</span> Luxembourg-born soldier and military engineer

Johan Caspar von Cicignon was a Luxembourg-born soldier and military engineer who spent most of his career in the service of Denmark–Norway. He is most associated with the reconstruction of Trondheim, Norway after the great fire of 1681.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fortification Upgrades</span> Re-organization of military forces in Norway

Fortification Upgrades (1673–1675) was a re-organization of military forces and strengthening of the defenses of Norway. The Norwegian army in this period became much better prepared for conflict with Sweden than in any previous period. It numbered 12,000 men in five regiments of infantry, 6 companies of cavalry, and an artillery division with 76 field pieces. An additional Norwegian regiment was serving in Denmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blaker Fortress</span> Former defense facility in the village of Blaker, Norway

Blaker Fortress is a former defense facility located at the village of Blaker in Akershus country, Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norway during the Great Northern War</span> Role of Norway in the Great Northern War

The 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, and the Stockholm Treaties. As a result of the war, Russia supplanted Sweden as the dominant power on the shores of the Baltic Sea, becoming a major player in European politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sverresborg</span> Ruin. of medieval fortification in Norway

Sverresborg or Sverre Sigurdsson's castle was a fort and residence built in the medieval city of Nidaros by King Sverre Sigurdsson. The fortification was built in support of Sverre Sigurdsson's struggle against his rival King Magnus Erlingsson to claim the throne of Norway. The site now forms part of the Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum, an open-air museum for the region of Trøndelag.

Anthony Coucheron was an engineering officer. Coucheron played an important role in the history of Norwegian and Danish fortifications. As Sweden grew to be a great power in the 17th century, there were frequent wars in the Baltic region, and conflict was common along the borders between Sweden & Denmark-Norway. Easy invasions routes from Sweden were fortified on the Danish-Norwegian border with new or upgraded fortresses during this period, effectively establishing the modern borders between Norway & Sweden. Anthony Coucheron played a major role in fortification of the border, both in Norway and Denmark in addition, he participated with honor in combat during the Gyldenløve War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Oslo</span> Catholic diocese in Norway

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caspar Herman Hausmann</span> Danish-Norwegian General, lumber merchant and squire

Caspar Herman Hausmann was a Danish-Norwegian General, lumber merchant and squire. He was born 10 January 1653 at Segeberg in the Danish duchy of Holsten, which was then in union with Denmark-Norway. He died 9 September 1718 in Christiania and lies in a crypt in Oslo Cathedral. He was married to Karen Nielsdatter Toller (1662–1742). He was a half-brother by Margaret Pape with Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve (1638–1704) — Gyldenløve was King Frederick III of Denmark's acknowledged illegitimate son and Statholder (viceroy) to Norway from 1664 until 1699.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Norway</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Norway is a restorationist free church. There are more than 4,500 members in Norway. A temple to be built in Oslo was announced on April 4, 2021 by church President Russell M. Nelson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Fredriksten</span> 1718 siege of the Great Northern War

The siege of Fredriksten was an attack on the Norwegian fortress of Fredriksten in the city of Fredrikshald by King Charles XII of Sweden. While inspecting his troops' lines, Charles XII was killed by a projectile. The Swedes broke off the siege, and the Norwegians held the fortress. Along with the Treaty of Nystad three years later, the death of Charles XII marked the end of the imperial era in Sweden, and the beginning of the Age of Liberty in that country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Fortifications Heritage</span>

The National Fortifications Heritage is a division with the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency responsible for sixteen military fortifications in Norway designated as heritage sites. The agency is responsible for conserving the character and history of the sites, while facilitating their use for culture, business and experiences. The list consists of ten fortresses, four smaller forts and two networks of border fortifications. Three fortresses, Akershus, Bergenshus and Vardøhus, date from the Middle Ages. Five installations date from the union with Denmark and five were built either union with Sweden or following the dissolution, as a defense against a Swedish invasion. Three forts, Austrått, Møvik and Trondenes, were built by the German Wehrmacht during World War II as part of Festung Norwegen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dano-Swedish War (1501–1512)</span>

The Dano-Swedish War from 1501 to 1512 was a military conflict between Denmark and Sweden within the Kalmar Union.

Allied Forces South Norway (SONOR) was a NATO command tasked with the defense of Southern Norway. SONOR's area of responsibility included all of Norway with the adjacent sea territory excluding the three northernmost counties of Norway, which were under Allied Forces North Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elverum (town)</span> Town in Eastern Norway, Norway

is a town in Elverum Municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. The town is the administrative centre of the municipality. It is located in the western part of the municipality along the river Glomma, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of the town of Hamar. The town is the regional centre for commerce and industry for the middle Østerdalen valley and the northern part of Solør. The old village of Elverum has grown over the years and in 1996, the municipal council granted Elverum town status.

References

  1. Nielsen, Jens Petter (1990). Altas historie (De glemte århundrene 1520-1826) (in Norwegian). Vol. 1. Alta: Municipality of Alta. pp. 97–98. ISBN   8299465206.

Bibliography