Fjell Fortress

Fjell, Norway

Fjell fortress was built by the German occupation forces during the Second World War. The construction works were commenced late summer 1942, and completed so far that they could fire the main gun for the first time as early as in June–July 1943. The fort was a significant link in the coastal defence of Norway.

The main gun was also to a certain extent employed in the interception of foreign aircraft raids against Bergen.The fortress has areas over and under the ground, with a network of tunnels two miles long on the surface and in the mountains.

The fortress area is today the property of the Norwegian Armed Forces, while Sotra og Øygarden Forsvarsforening (Sotra and Øygarden Defence Association) are responsible for conducting the preservation and maintenance.

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Address

Bankesteinsvegen 8, Fjell, Norway
See all sites in Fjell

Details

Founded: 1942
Category: Castles and fortifications in Norway

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.visitbergen.com

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Bryggen (15,5 km)
Korskirken (15,6 km)
St. Paul Catholic Church (15,1 km)
St. Mary's Church (15,6 km)
Christ Church Ruins (15,4 km)
Bergenhus Fortress (15,4 km)
Nonneseter Abbey Chapel (15,5 km)
Bergen Museum (14,9 km)
Bergen Cathedral (15,7 km)

User Reviews

Paul Armistead (10 months ago)
A very thought provoking piece of history, in this harsh mountain environment. A great experience.
Tom Tom (10 months ago)
Nice landscape and view For those who like bunkers and old WWII ruins. Better go on sundays to see the tunnels with a guide (it is only possible on sundays) Without a guide you could only walk and discover all the hidden bunkers in the hills and the trenches but not go inside. Anyways nice place.
Jürg Thomann (11 months ago)
The remains of one of those insane WWll military installations by the Germans. They view up there is great, though. Although I doubt they built that thing for the view in the first place.
Peter Short (11 months ago)
Nice trails to walk up here, beautiful view and a cafe, nothing more one could wish for!
Thomas B. Myers (12 months ago)
Amazing history of ww2 German gun and tunnel complex. Well presented and informative. Go on Sunday for a more complex tour of the tunnels, and make sure to walk through the anti-aircraft guns on the path... Highlight of the area if you are a history buff for sure.
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Steinvikholm Castle

Steinvikholm Castle is an island fortress built between 1525 to 1532 by Norway's last Catholic archbishop, Olav Engelbrektsson. Steinvikholm castle became the most powerful fortification by the time it was built, and it is the largest construction raised in the Norwegian Middle Ages.

The castle occupies about half of the land on the rocky island. The absence of a spring meant that fresh water had to be brought from the mainland. A wooden bridge served as the only way to the island other than boat. Although the castle design was common across Europe in 1525, its medieval design was becoming obsolete because of the improved siege firepower offered by gunpowder and cannons.

The castle was constructed after Olav Engelbrektsson returned from a meeting with the Pope in Rome, presumably in anticipation of impending military-religious conflict. As Archbishop Engelbrektsson's resistance to the encroachment of Danish rule escalated, first with Frederick I of Denmark and his successor Christian III of Denmark, Steinvikholm Castle and Nidarholm Abbey became the Catholic Church's military strongholds in Norway. In April 1537, the Danish-Norwegian Reformation succeeded in driving the archbishop from the castle into exile in Lier in the Netherlands (now in Belgium), where he died on 7 February 1538. At the castle the archbishop left behind St. Olav's shrine and other treasures from Nidaros Cathedral (Trondheim). The original coffin containing St. Olav's body remained at Steinvikholm until it was returned to Nidaros Cathedral in 1564. Since 1568 St. Olav's grave in Nidaros has been unknown.

From the 17th to 19th century, the island was used as a quarry and some of its masonry was sold and removed from the site. This activity was condoned by the Danish-Norwegian authorities as a way of eliminating a monument to the opposition of the Danish–Norwegian Union.

Steinvikholm fort is owned and operated today by The society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments. The island has been the site of the midnight opera which details the life and struggles of the archbishop. The opera is held in August annually. The opera is organized by Steinvikholm Musikkteater since the beginning in 1993.

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