List of forts in Norway


Norwegian fortresses or fortifications have been constructed from some of the earliest recorded periods, down through the 20th century. The geography and topography of glacially carved, mountainous Norway constrain both the sea and the land routes which an aggressor must follow. Natural strong-points, such as rock outcroppings at Halden, Tønsberg and Trondheim make excellent bases for fortification.
[Image:OSLO-NO-02 05 ubt.jpeg|200px|right|thumb|Akershus Fortress]
Fortifications evolved to accommodate the offensive threat which they guard against. Early castles provided a strong defense against the attack of the day, and were normally taken by duplicity or siege. In the age of black powder, cannon allowed breaching of the fortress walls and subsequent taking by storm. As a result, fortresses changed form, now incorporating design features like the bastion, ravelin, and glacis to allow cannon within the fortress to be effective while protecting the walls and defenders from external attack. This evolution of technology continued into the 20th century as weaponry continued to evolve.

Historical context for Norwegian fortresses

Baltic Power Wars

Most Norwegian fortresses were constructed in the period of intense competition among the Baltic powers for northern supremacy. The 16th, 17th and beginning of the 18th Century was a period of virtually continuous war or preparation for war:
In 1600 Denmark controlled virtually all land bordering on the Skagerrak, Kattegat, Store Bælt and the restricted Sound. The current Swedish provinces of Skåne and Halland were Danish and the province of Bohuslän was then Norwegian.

Norwegian fortresses

The Castle Period (1600 and earlier)

The Age of Black Powder (1600 - 1900)

Modern fortresses