The Båhus Fortress Castle is a must-visit for those who consider themselves history buffs, appreciators of great architecture, or those who are just curious to see what all the fuss is about since thousands flock to this incredible place each year.
This article will tell you everything about Båhus Fortress Castle, from its origins to the historical events that helped shape the two countries and make it such a unique destination today. We’ll also provide you with all the information you’ll need to prepare for your visit. So, without further ado, let’s start unlocking the secrets of Båhus and dive into its remarkable backstory.
What is Båhus Fortress Castle
Båhus Fortress Castle (also known as Bohus Fortress Castle) truly is a strange aesthetic mix. Although it’s mostly a few ruins of the towers and outer walls that still remain today, it gives one a good idea of what the fortress looked like back in its glory days. Its remaining watchtower looks so castle-like that one almost expects a bundle of hair hitting you on the head if you call out “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, drop down thy hair” like in the fairy tale of old.
Yet, the massive walls serve as a reminder that this was a place built to either keep things in or out. Båhus stands on a cliff towering (130 feet) up in the air, giving it the perfect vantage point to keep an eye on what’s happening in the surrounding area. The river also forms a natural moat running around the fortress.
Opening Hours of Båhus Fortress Castle
The opening hours of the Båhus Fortress Castle differ depending on the season:
6 April to 19 May
Only open on weekends, 11:00 – 16:00
20 May to 23 June
7 Days a week, 11:00 – 16:00
24 June to 25 August
7 Days a week, 11:00 – 18:00
26 August to 15 September
7 Days a week, 11:00 – 16:00
16 September to 27 October
Only open on weekends, 11:00 – 16:00
*Opening hours are also subject to change on public holidays, so please double-check with the venue before heading out.
Admission Fees to Båhus Fortress Castle
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults = 120 SEK ($11.80)
Children (those between the ages of 3 and 17) = 60 SEK ($5.90)
Senior Citizens = 100 SEK ($9.85)
Students (must have a valid student card) = 100 SEK ($9.85)
Where is Båhus Fortress Castle in Norway?
The beginning of the strange story of Båhus Fortress, the Norwegian Castle, is that it’s located in Kungaly, in Bohuslan, Sweden. This, of course, was not always so blatantly the case, as the fortress was originally built on what was the old border between Sweden and Norway.
But today, visiting the castle from Norway would require crossing the border into Sweden. The nearest big city to Båhus is Gothenburg, which is about 12 minutes away if you’re thinking of sleeping over.
The History of Båhus Fortress Castle
The original structure was built by a Norwegian King called King Haakon V Magnuson. The fortress was made from granite and brick and resembled a medieval castle. The aim of the fortress was to act as a stronghold against the Swedes, and this is reflected in the fortress’s design – especially the 3-meter thick wall connecting the four rectangular corner towers.
Båhus Fortress Castle’s design and location made such a powerful combination that all 14 attacks by the Swedes failed. It was only during the Seven Year War (1563-1570) that the Swedes managed to get into the northeastern tower. The Norwegians then simply blew up that tower – with the Swedes still in it. Thereafter, Båhus shed the last of its medieval castle vibe and became a full-fledged bastion fortress.
And so it stayed for decades (although plenty of revamping was done) till the end of the Second Northern War (1655-1670) when the Treaty of Roskilde was signed. This essentially marked the change of the borderline, and Båhus Fortress Castle was officially handed over to Sweden. After hundreds of years of conflict, with Båhus having been the symbol of both defiance and defeat, the Swedes suddenly found themselves sitting with a gigantic fort and nothing to do with it.
So, they turned it into a prison. During the time of Pietistic Lutheranism, many Pietists were jailed for their part in the movement. One such pietist was Thomas Leopold, who spent 42 years in prison. 32 was within the confines of Båhus prison. His cell can still be visited at the ruins today. Sadly, the ruins are not the remnants of Båhus because the weather and time took their toll on this magnificent building. During the 18th century, the call was made to demolish the building.
Lucky for us, much of the outer structure still remained, and, in the ultimate irony, the Swedes started with restoration efforts in the 20th century. Today, it is the ruins of the outer structure, such as Fars Hatt, the northernmost tower, as well as the restoration efforts that visitors get to experience when coming to Båhus.
Festivities and Celebrations at Båhus Fortress Castle
This impressive structure plays host to a variety of special events and makes for the perfect venue for themed celebrations. Check the Båhus annual calendar for all their exciting festivities, such as Medieval Festivals, Themed Halloween events, etc. You can also book Båhus for your little one’s birthday party.
Their birthday packages promise to be the event of a lifetime for your little one and his/her friends with a dedicated spot in the Nya Magasinet (a Medieval food storage space) with a barbecue. There are also loads of fun activities included in the party packages, such as bouncy castles, horse rides, archery, and even sword lessons from medieval soldiers!
Båhus Fortress Castle: The Adventure of a Lifetime
We’re not saying you should plan your trip to Båhus to overlap with your child’s birthday, but you’ll undoubtedly be their favorite person for quite a while. Those without little mini-me’s should definitely try to attend some of the annual events themselves when there – they truly are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
To get to Båhus Fortress Castle, we recommend that you rent a motorhome in Norway, road trip through the country, and then cross the border into Sweden to see where the clash of the two countries occurred for centuries. But whatever you do, and however you choose to explore Norway, Båhus Fortress is not to be missed as an integral part of our history (and the adventure of a lifetime!).
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