Photo. Bohus Fortress, on the southern outskirts of the town of Kungälv, Bohuslän, in Sweden, near Gothenburg. © Travel Explorations.
On Saturday 18th June it was a beautiful day to explore Bohus Fortress, Kungälv, Bohuslän, in Sweden, near Gothenburg. Here I had to walk up a hill where the big fortress was standing. Bohus Fortress lies along the old Norwegian - Swedish border in Kungälv, Bohuslän, Sweden, north east from Hisingen where the Göta river splits into two branches. It`s located about 20 kilometres north of Gothenburg. It commands its surroundings from a 40 meter high cliff, with the river forming a natural moat about it.
As most fortresses around the world this one has also a bloody military history. It`s also about lords, intrigues and power struggles.
The fortress was built by King Håkon of Norway in 1310, from which the region takes its name. For centuries this stood on the frontier between Sweden and Norway.
During the Northern Seven Years' War (1563-1570) it was seriously damaged. This occurred in 1566, when 250 Swedish soldiers successfully stormed the northeastern-most tower. The Norwegian commander sent a volunteer to blow up the ammunition stores underneath the tower, killing the Swedes and repelling the attack.
Still, much of the fortress is still intact, including the large northern tower, "Fars hatt". It was the same name on the hotel I stayed at in Kungalv. The fortress is now a museum and open to tours in the summer.
Stein Morten Lund, 22 June 2011
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