Fredriksten fortress
Welcome to the Cultural Heritage Site Fredriksten Fortress
Fredriksten Fortress is a historic landmark and a popular destination in Halden. Here, you can explore the old buildings, learn about the fortress’s role in border defense over several centuries, and take part in concerts, festivals, and a variety of cultural events.
The fortress grounds are open to all, offering scenic walking trails, panoramic viewpoints, and charming cafés and eateries where you can enjoy a coffee break or a good meal.
Guardian of the Nation’s Border and Regional Cultural Arena
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Venues and Outdoor Areas for Rent
Fredriksten Fortress is a unique setting for events such as private parties, weddings, courses, and conferences.
Are you looking to rent an outdoor area for a cultural event?
We also offer rental of commercial spaces.
The History of the Fortress
Fredriksten Fortress was built after Norway was forced to cede Bohuslän and Bohus Fortress to Sweden in 1658. To protect the new border and the main access route into Eastern Norway, construction of a new border fortress began in Halden in 1661. The fortress quickly became a central part of Norway’s defense and was attacked six times over the years—yet never captured in battle.
The most famous event in Fredriksten’s history occurred in 1718, when Swedish King Charles XII was shot and killed during the siege of the fortress. This marked the end of Sweden’s attempts to conquer Norway and made Fredriksten a powerful symbol of Norwegian resistance. The fortress also played a role in the 1814 war for Norwegian independence, and later stood as a strong national symbol during the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905.
Fredriksten was decommissioned as an active military fortress after 1905 but remained in military use until 2005. Today, the fortress stands as a visible and important part of both Halden’s and Norway’s history. It now serves as a cultural heritage site and a regional venue for events, recreation, and the presentation of military history.
Practical information
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The fortress grounds are open 24 hours a day. Galleries, museums, events, and similar venues have their own opening hours. For visitor and tourist information, please see Visit Halden
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Admission to the fortress grounds is free of charge. Museums, concerts, events, festivals, and similar activities require separate tickets and pricing.
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Contact Fredriksten Guiding for information about guided tours and visits.
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Generalveien 6
1776 Halden
Conduct at the Fortress
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Fredriksten Fortress is a protected national cultural heritage site, and we kindly ask all visitors to respect the buildings, ruins, monuments, and landscaped areas.
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Do not remove building parts, masonry, wood, or other loose items from the fortress.
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The lawns are for everyone to enjoy, but please be kind to our trees.
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You may come across a wedding or other event taking place at the fortress. Please show
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consideration and avoid unnecessary disturbances.
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Dispose of waste in the bins provided, and sort recyclables where possible.
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Grilling and open fires are prohibited year-round, including disposable grills.
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Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
The fortresses are historic defense sites and vibrant cultural arenas, attracting millions of visitors each year. They are central attractions in local communities throughout Norway—serving as destinations, cultural landmarks, and places for business activity.
They are also arenas where history meets the present, and where civil society encounters the Armed Forces.
As property managers, our role is to enable development that brings these sites to life while preserving their heritage.
We do this by ensuring that the fortresses remain open and accessible to the public, while leasing out buildings and open spaces to businesses that offer meaningful experiences.
We are responsible for the upkeep of historic buildings and fortress walls, as well as the care and maintenance of outdoor areas.
