Fredrikstad, a star-shaped fortress with 5 powerful bastions, was founded by the Danish king Frederick II in 1567 to strengthen his defence against Swedish invaders. Even the city's coat of arms depicts this fort, emphasising the fact that the locals are proud of it.
However, the Swedes managed to destroy the fortress. A couple of centuries later, the dominant in the construction of the fortress was played by three men: the Dutchman Cucheron, Luxembourgian Tsitsigon and Admiral Toddenskajold, who stationed the Norwegian fleet here.
And again, in 1814, the war. The commander of the garrison, Nils Hans, after a two-day siege by the Danes, decided to surrender the fortress, thanks to which it was preserved for posterity, and at present its defensive structures of the 18th century, drawbridges and fortress ditches of the 17th century. are in the best condition for them.
You can enter the Old Town, which is located inside the fortress walls, through any of the seven gates, passing through cobbled streets with 18th- and 19th-century architectural buildings. While exploring the fortress, you can see the bastions from different sides. There are 5 bastions in total: Prince George's (the most fortified - has 24 cannons), Guildenlöwe (13 cannons), Princess Charlotte (15 cannons), Prince Frederik and Prince Christian (10 cannons each).
The fortress is home to the Fredrikstad Museum, which offers fascinating guided tours, stories about the history of the town.
