Blaker Fortress, Blaker, Norway

Blaker Fortress is one of the Norwegian fortresses which were constructed in the period of intense competition among the Baltic powers (Denmark-Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland and the German states) for northern supremacy. In 1675 Gyldenløve indicated an intent to construct a fortress in the Glomma river where Blaker (a former township in Akershus) lies as part of his general program of Norwegian fortification upgrades. His objective was a stronghold available both to serve as a safe defensive position when necessary and a location to station troops who could take the offensive against invaders when the opportunity availed itself.

Blaker Fortress saw action in 1718, when it was surrounded by the invading Swedish army, but the siege collapsed upon the death of Charles XII of Sweden in front of Fredriksten Fortress. From 1917 to 2003 it was a place for education of craftsmen, art teachers and designers. Today, the old fortress is used for offices, cultural creativity, happenings, weddings, parties, exhibitions, meeting, courses and conferences.Historical walks on the fortress, ghost walks, theater, discourses, salute with canon and rental of costumes from the 1700s and 1800s.

References:

Castles and fortifications in Norway

User Reviews

Roy Kvernhaug (13 months ago)
A very nice place with historical buzz and beautiful location. Well worth a visit.

Tone Høglien (14 months ago)
A unique gem in Blaker, Lillestrøm municipality. Lots of culture and entertainment in beautiful surroundings. Here there is soul and atmosphere.??

patrick scantlebury (2 years ago)
Cozy place with history.

vivian plassgård (2 years ago)
My first time here was on 19 August 2023. It was a really nice evening with a lot of good bands ? Greatly done with seating for everyone who wanted to sit ?? Great with rock concerts in the local area ? Keep it up ?

Jan-Arne Aleksandersen (2 years ago)
I walked around the ramparts and visited an exhibition there in connection with a concert that was supposed to be there that evening. Kari Bremnes probably delivered nice music that evening.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright davidnaylor83

Historic Site of the week

Danmark Church

The first written record of church in Danmark locality date back to the year 1291. Close to the church are several stones with a Christian text and cross inscribed. The oldest parts of the present red-brick church are from the 1300s. In the late 1400s the church was enlarged to the appearance it has today. The church has been modified both internally and externally several times, among other things after the fires in 1699 and 1889. There are lot of well-preserved mural paintings in the walls.

Blaker Fortress

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Danmark Church