Fårösund is a decommissioned fortress, built from 1885 to 1886. Sweden's capacity to protect its neutrality was questioned after the Crimean War 1854–56. England and France persuaded Sweden to fortify the inlet at Fårö with artillery batteries and naval mines. The fortress consisted of three fixed batteries. At the turn of the century, the batteries were reconstructed. The batteries I and II were given modern quick-firing 57 mm guns, four per battery. In 1919 the fortress was closed down and all equipment removed. After the fortress was closed down and was taken over by the Swedish Prison and Probation Service in 1919, a penitential center was establishment. The fortress had been proposed as a detention center for social dangerous offenders, if and when legislation for such came about.
Today the fortress is a hotel and restaurant.
References:House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju nams) is a building situated in the old town of Riga. The original building was erected during the first third of the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried German merchants in Riga. Major works were done in the years 1580 and 1886, adding most of the ornaments.
The structure was bombed to a ruin by the Germans June 28, 1941 and the remains demolished by the Soviets in 1948. The current reconstruction was erected from 1995 to 1999. Today the House of Blackheads serves as a museum and sometimes concert hall.