Hegra fortress, Norway

Hegra fortress

The small village of Hegra is located in Stjørdal in the mid part of Norway.

About 2500 people lives in Hegra. The area has got some really interesting ancient remains, such the rock carvings in Leirfald and the “Ingstadkleven Fort“, or, Hegra Fortress as it is known as today.

The fort was the last Norweigan fort to surrender to the invading Germans in May 1940.

Canon at the Hegra Fortress

The way up to the fortress is very interesting itself, we were there in late summer and the fog was laying around us as our car struggled uphill for quite some time.

It’s hard to imagine the feeling in being in the fort, trying to protect it, and the attacking forces are starting to show over there, in the forest.

Small gate in the fort

One of the small gates inside the fort

It felt kind of abandoned, but I guess this fort is nothing you will pass everyday, and even if you do pass it, there are no signs telling you how nice this place actually is. But I can recommend that you go there, if you ever pass. We ran around there for a couple of hours, and I think there was just one other couple there at the time. So it was a bit scary, but very cool indeed.

This is close to the main entrance

Check out the picture gallery:

Picture gallery of the Hegra Fortress at remains.se

Bohus Fortress in Sweden

Bohus fortress

The medieval fortress at the town of Kungälv, Sweden

Bohus Fästning (“The fortress of Bohus”, originally Bagahus) is situated at the former Swedish / Norwegian border. It was Haakon V Magnuson, the king of Norway (between 1299-1319) who gave the construction order. He also initiated the construction of Akershus in Oslo, Norway. At this time, Bohuslän (where Kungälv is situated), belonged to Norway.

Bohus fortress was invested 14 times and badly damaged, but not once taken. At one point, the border was moved north and the fortress was to no-use to Sweden anymore. Then the norweigans built Fredriksten fortress.

Photo galler of Bohus Fästning (Bohus Fortress)

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Unique grave ship found in Sweden

Grave ship found

- an unique grave ship was recently found by swedish archaeologists.

The viking-aged grave ship’s discovery was placed in Sunnerby, a place clos e to the castle of Läckö, near the lake of Vänern (see a map from the area here) . The ship is probably from the 7th century.  At least two human remains, one young and one old person, was found. It seems to have been a very highly placed person’s funeral.  There was also remains of sacrified animals. The ship was burnt after the funeral.

Only in England has a grave ship like this been found before.

At remains.se, you can find a photo gallery from the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway.