Marstrand Fortress
Västra Götalands län
Marstrand Fortress, locally known as Carlsten, is a monumental stone fortress located on Marstrand Island on Sweden's western coast. Built in the aftermath of the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658, it was commissioned by King Carl X Gustav to protect the newly acquired Bohuslän province. The fortress is perched 39 meters above sea level, featuring a distinctive seven-story round tower surrounded by deep moats and imposing granite walls with four bastions. Its construction spanned over two centuries, completed around 1860, and was carried out largely by prisoners sentenced to penal labor. Carlsten served as a key naval defense point due to the ice-free harbor at Marstrand and was also used as a prison, notably housing famous inmates such as Lasse-Maja and Metta Fock, the only female prisoner. The fortress was attacked twice historically, in 1677 by Danish forces and in 1719 by Norwegian Vice-Admiral Tordenskjold, but was eventually returned to Swedish control. Decommissioned as a permanent defense site in 1882, it remained in military use until the early 1990s. Today, Carlsten is a captivating tourist attraction, offering guided tours, historical reenactments, and unique experiences like overnight stays in the former soldier's quarters and interactive murder mystery events.
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Astuce: Visit Marstrand Fortress during the summer months to enjoy the annual Fortress Games held in late July, featuring historical reenactments and cultural events. It is advisable to book guided tours and special experiences such as the murder mystery evening in advance, especially during peak tourist season. The fortress is open year-round, and visitors arriving by car or bus should plan to use the short ferry from Koön to Marstrand Island, as car traffic is restricted on the island. Discounts may be available for groups and seniors; check the official website for current information.
Faits intéressants
- •Carlsten Fortress was considered one of Europe's strongest fortresses after 19th-century expansions.
- •The fortress features a rotating lighthouse installed in the 1780s, the first in the world with a rotating mirror apparatus.
- •Prisoners sentenced to penal labor constructed much of the fortress.
- •Metta Fock was the only female prisoner held at Carlsten, imprisoned from 1806 to 1809.
- •Lasse-Maja, a famous Swedish criminal and folk figure, was imprisoned at Carlsten from 1813 to 1838.
Histoire
Following the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658, the Swedish crown acquired Bohuslän and Marstrand, prompting King Carl X Gustav to order the construction of a fortress to secure this strategic, ice-free harbor.
Initial fortifications began with a wooden structure in 1658 under Johan Wärnschöld, replaced by stone works starting in 1666.
The fortress endured attacks in 1677 and 1719, temporarily falling into enemy hands before being restored to Sweden.
Over the 18th and 19th centuries, Carlsten was expanded and modernized, including the addition of a rotating lighthouse in the 1780s, one of the first of its kind worldwide.
It served as a prison primarily for men until the late 19th century and was decommissioned as a permanent defense site in 1882, although military use continued until the 1990s.
Since 1935, it has been protected as a state historic monument.
Guide du lieu
The Round Tower1681-1689
A seven-story tall round tower that forms the fortress's centerpiece, originally built in the late 17th century and expanded in the 1680s. It includes multiple defensive levels and served as a key stronghold.
The Moats and Bastions17th century
The fortress is encircled by water-filled moats and four bastions constructed from granite, designed to provide formidable defense against attackers.
The Donjon and Commandant's House18th century
Two free-standing buildings within the fortress walls dating from the 18th century, historically used for command and administration, now part of the visitor experience including overnight accommodations.
The Lighthouse1780-1783
Installed in the late 18th century, this was the world's first lighthouse equipped with a rotating mirror apparatus, invented by Jonas Norberg, providing a steady rotating light to aid navigation.
Contact
Téléphone: 0303-611 67
