Älvsborg Castle, Gothenburg, Sweden

Älvsborg, also Elfsborg Fortress, is a sea fortress situated on the mouth of the Göta Älv river. It served to protect Sweden's access to the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby settlement of today's Gothenburg and its four predecessors. The fortress was relocated in the 17th century, this New Älvsborg Fortress is still maintained. Of the Old Älvsborg Fortress, only few ruins are visible today in the vicinity of the Carnegie-pier. The new fortress was founded in 1621 by Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden.

In 1643, a settlement in New Sweden, North America, was named Fort Nya Elfsborg, after the Swedish fortress. This settlement was however abandoned in 1655.

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User Reviews

Vineeth Pazhupurath (11 months ago)
Not as big as other forts around. less accessible, and expensive to get there with only 2 ferry services operating from different places The ferry is there every 1hr and till 4.30 pm costs 200 sek from långedrags including entrance tickets Every weekend 2pm the staff will fire the canon. Not as exciting as other castles and very less people around the castle due to lack of accessibility Recommend a half day if you are bored and already visited everything else around

Igor Fabjan (4 years ago)
Great day trip to the fortified island. The trip itself on an old ship is worth to go. There are some personnel dressed like in the times when fortress was active but unfortunately acting only in Swedish.

Michael Kusk Christensen (5 years ago)
Beautiful castle on a beautiful island with a great theatrical tour of the history of the place.

Jonas Pannee (5 years ago)
Very engaging and entertaining guides, interesting views but nothing spectacular.

Just Websites (5 years ago)
This was great fun with dramatisations of life on the island in days gone by. All done by two wonderful actors. Loved it but my God it was windy that day.

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