Bohus Fortress — Attraction in Kungälvs kommun

Very interesting place, there's history everywhere! Chat with the stones, let them tell you what they've seen! During the Northern Seven Years War (1563-1570) the fortress was besieged six times. During five of these it was commanded by Denmark-Norway. The largest of the attacks was made in spring 1566. A Swedish artillery unit, positioned on the hill of Fontinberget, fired almost 3 000 rounds at the fortress, making a breach in the walls. This gave ten fänikor (one fänika equivalent with approximately 500 persons) the opportunity to push through. Three times they were thown back, but on the forth attempt they successfully made it through and seized "Röde Torn" (Red Tower) and planted a Swedish flag at the top. Two defending soldiers volunteered to detonate the gunpowder magazine, located in the tower. This was a certain suicide attack, so they were both promised that their families would be provided for. The two soldiers were successful, causing a massive explosion which smashed the tower apart. A Danish cronicler wrote that "the Swedes were thrown into the sky like crows or other birds, and not one of them came from there alive". It is believed that around 250 Swedish soldiers were killed in what we now know as the Bohus Bang.

The Swedish king Erik XIV was so furious that he saw the failure to conquer the fortress as a result of treachery within the Swedish ranks. He personally executed one of the commanders, Nils Sture.

The Danish king, Frederick II, on the other hand, was so happy that on his sarcophagus he had several marble relieves made of which one depicted the Bohus Bang. It is said that one of the two soldiers family received a piece of land which is still owned by his descendants.

The fortress was attacked or besieged 14 times, but was...

During my visit to Sweden I visited the fortress over the weekend. I took a bus from Gothenburg City center to the fortress. I think it was a 30 to 40 minute ride. Luckily I had good weather the entire weekend and was able to enjoy the sites and scenery throughout the day.

Some areas might be difficult for kids and those weary of tight and steep spaces especially as you climb the tower and walk around some of the walls, some hills are quite steep and make it difficult for strollers.

I ate lunch there and ordered a burger from the little stand in the center of the fortress. I ended up throwing it away. As I bit into it the burger it was extremely raw and not cooked all the way.

It was quite windy at the top of the hill. There is a little gift shop at the entrance and exit and a small cafe or restaurant that specializes in ice cream a little further down the hill.

I had a feeling that my public transit card wasn't going to work on my way back into Gothenburg. I believe I only purchased a card that works within the city. I'm not too familiar with how public transit in Sweden works and realized that my card wasn't accepted on the way back. I ended up riding the bus anyway. Not sure how to remedy as the text on the screen was only in swedish.

If taking the bus, make sure you have the right fare for...

One of the most impressive medieval fortresses in Northern Europe, and a key bastion of Norway for hundreds of years that was never captured in combat. Despite the neglect and demolishment efforts by the Swedes, it's still making a huge impact when visiting today. I was surprised how simple the exhibition and explanations where though, hence the low rating. Since its basically a Norwegian fortress that was demolished after it changed hands to Sweden after the treaty I guess there is little interest from Sweden's side to make more efforts. Norway should offer to fund a more elaborate exhibition and restoration and share the responsibility of the maintenance of the fortress with the Swedes.. I would imagine that a lot of the visitors are...