Austrått fort
Welcome to the Fortress and War Memorial at Austrått Fort
Located at the entrance to the Trondheimsfjord, Austrått Fort is a unique historic site. Here, you can join a guided tour through the impressive gun turret, explore underground mountain installations, and visit a war history exhibition.
The outdoor area surrounding the fort is open to the public year-round.
Cultural Heritage of the Atlantic Wall
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Join a Guided Tour
Austrått Fort was decommissioned as a military site in 1968 and is now operated as a museum.
Visitors can join guided tours that take them through the entire gun turret, the power station, and the troop quarters. The tour lasts less than an hour and is led by experienced guides.
The experience also includes a visit to the Fosen War History Collection, a museum exhibition focusing on the years of occupation in the Fosen region.
History of the Fort
Austrått Fort was built in 1943 as part of the Atlantic Wall. Its purpose was to secure the entrance to the Trondheimsfjord, and today it stands as a unique war memorial.
A German Fortress Inside Norwegian Rock
During the Second World War, the German occupying forces constructed numerous defensive installations along the Norwegian coast. Austrått Fort, located in Ørland, was one of them. The location was chosen to protect the Trondheimsfjord, which held great strategic importance for the German military. Construction began in 1942, and the fort was completed the following year.
A Cannon from the Battleship Gneisenau Gneisenau
The fort’s main weapon is a 28 cm triple gun turret, originally from the German battleship Gneisenau. The ship was damaged during a British bombing raid in Kiel in 1942, and the gun was later transported to Ørland. It was mounted in a custom-built turret cast directly into the bedrock. The turret has five levels and is surrounded by a vast underground complex spread over three levels.
Life Inside the Mountain
The fort was manned by German soldiers and could accommodate up to 200 men. It included everything necessary for extended periods underground: generators, cold storage, mess facilities, dormitories, and ammunition stores. Close-defense positions and firing slits offered additional protection.
After the War
Following the end of the war in 1945, the fort was taken over by the Norwegian authorities. It remained part of Norway’s defense system until it was decommissioned as a military installation in 1968. In the early 1990s, the turret was restored and made safe for public access. Today, Austrått Fort is a protected cultural heritage site and museum, open to the public and operated in collaboration between Forsvarsbygg and local partners.
Practical information
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The outdoor areas at Austrått Fort are open to the public year-round.
In summer 2025, the fort will be open for guided tours from June 21 to August 17.
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Admission to the fortress grounds is free of charge.
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By Car
From the south:
Take the E6 to Berkåk, exit toward Orkanger, and continue to Valset ferry terminal. Take the car ferry to Brekstad, then follow the signs to Austrått Fort, located approximately 8 km from Brekstad.From the north:
Take the E6 to Asphaugen, 9 km north of Steinkjer, then R17 toward Malm/Namsos to Hjellebotn, continue on R720 via Malm to the Olsøykrysset junction on R715. From there, follow the signs to Brekstad and Austrått Fort.
Alternative routes are also available.Without a Car
Visitors without a car can take the express boat from Trondheim to Brekstad, and then continue by taxi to Austrått Fort.
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Austrått fort. Lundahaugen, 7140 Opphaug
Conduct at the Fortress
Austrått Fort is a national cultural heritage site, and we kindly ask all visitors to show respect for the surroundings, including buildings, ruins, monuments, and landscaped areas.
- Please dispose of waste in the bins provided.
- Grilling and open fires are strictly prohibited year-round, including disposable grills.
- Drone use is not permitted on or above the fortress grounds.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Ball games are not allowed within the fortress area.
- Consumption of alcohol brought from outside is prohibited.
Norway’s fortresses are historic defense structures and vibrant cultural arenas, visited by millions of people every year. They are important attractions in their local communities—serving as destinations, heritage sites, and places for business activity.
These fortresses are also places where history meets the present, and where civil society engages with the Armed Forces.
As property managers, our mission is to facilitate development that brings these sites to life while safeguarding their historical significance.
We do this by keeping the fortresses open and accessible to visitors, while also leasing buildings and outdoor areas to businesses that offer meaningful experiences.
We are responsible for the maintenance of historic buildings and fortress walls, as well as the upkeep of the surrounding outdoor areas.
