Carlstens fästning på Marstrand - en spännande sevärdhet

Carlsten Fortress on Marstrand is an exciting attraction, offering fascinating historical settings and compelling stories. The fortress has been taken twice, and famous prisoners have been imprisoned here, such as the famous Lasse-Maja.

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Carlsten Fortress on Marstrand

Carlsten Fortress is the biggest attraction on Marstrand, and is well worth a visit. Despite heavy rain, we had a really nice day here.

Carlsten Fortress is located on Marstrand Island in Marstrand, just north-west of Gothenburg.

Visiting the Carlsten Fortress on Marstrand

To visit Carlsten Fortress, you can drive to Marstrand and park in the Koön part of the town. There is a large car park near the ferry terminal, where you can park your car or camper van for a fee.

Then take the small ferry to Marstrand Island, where the fortress is located. Tickets for the ferry can be purchased at a small ticket office in the ferry terminal.

Färja till Marstrandsön och Carlstens fästning på Marstrand

You can then walk through the charming Marstrand Island to reach the fortress. A visit here is very interesting. You can wander around on your own, or join a general guided tour, which is included in the ticket price.

FREEDOMtravel på Carlstens fästning på Marstrand

Picturesque Marstrand

To begin with, it is wonderfully charming to experience the picturesque Marstrand. The harbour is full of fine boats, and here you can also check out one of the former ferries (Hamnfärjan II) built in 1948 and used until 1958.

When the municipality of Kungälv wanted to scrap the ferry, the association "Färjans Vänner" was formed, which bought the ferry and renovated it. Today, the K-labelled ferry can be hired for parties and various events.

The buildings on Marstrand Island are also incredibly charming. Here you will find colourful wooden houses filled with the joy of carpentry and plenty of cosy restaurants and cafés.

Carlsten Fortress took 200 years to build

Marstrand Island has a strategic location and when Bohuslän became Swedish at the Peace of Roskilde in 1658, King Charles X Gustav decided that a fortress should be built. The development and construction of the fortress continued until 1860, when it was considered complete. The construction lasted more than 200 years.

In its day, the fortress was heavily armed with cannons, and the firepower was considered very powerful. There were many soldiers in the fortress, but the area was also manned by many civilians, such as blacksmiths, masons, stonemasons and bakers. When there was no war, everyday life went on here.

Fästningskyrka — There is even a fortress church in the fortress.

Carlsten Fortress as a prison - and the story of Mätta Fock

Carlsten Fortress was used as a prison for a long time, and it does not seem to have been a fun place to be. The majority of the prisoners were so-called "labour prisoners", who were sentenced to "marstrand work", which meant that they worked as labourers in the construction of the fortress.

Fängelse i Carlstens fästning på Marstrand

There were also 'state prisoners' and 'confessional prisoners', and we were touched by the fate of the female confessional prisoner Mätta Fock. Mätta's husband and two of her children died within a short period of time, and she was suspected of poisoning. Despite her denials, she was sentenced to 'confession' and in 1805 was placed in Carlsten Fortress, where she was forced to sit idle for 16 months.

Later, the punishment was mitigated by allowing Mätta to do needlework, and she embroidered a long letter of complaint. Mätta was never acquitted of the deaths, and her life was ended by first having her right hand cut off. Then her head was cut off, and finally her body was burned at the stake.

Famous prisoners at Carlsten Fortress - Lasse-Maja and Carl Fredrik Lilja

The most famous prisoner held at Carlsten Fortress is "Lasse-Maja", or Lars Larsson Molin as he was actually called. This man went on many theft tours during his life, and realised that he could blend in or escape more easily by dressing up as a woman, which is why he was given the name 'Lasse-Maja'.

In 1813, Lasse-Maja was sent to Carlsten, where he soon became an officer's cook. During his years in women's clothing, he had learnt how to cook. Lasse-Maja escaped once, but was brought back to the fortress.

He was released after more than 25 years as a prisoner, by which time he had written a book about his life. For the rest of his life, as a free man, he devoted himself to lecturing about his fate and adventures, dressed in women's clothes.

Another thief who became famous due to the publication of his memoirs was Carl Fredrik Lilja. Lilja was a law-abiding man in the early part of his life, but when his wife complained of poverty, he began to engage in petty theft and eventually there were major burglaries - at Skånska Privatbanken, Riddarhuset in Stockholm and the Ränteriet at Västerås Castle.

Lilja was first imprisoned in Västerås, but after three months of hard work managed to dig himself out of his cell. He was later imprisoned in both Carlsten's fortress and Kronan in Gothenburg, but eventually he too became a free man.

Galge på Carlstens fästning på Marstrand — Some prisoners ended up on the gallows, and others were eventually released.

Carlsten Fortress was captured twice

Carlsten Fortress has been conquered twice, both times by the Danes but also by Norwegian soldiers and officers.

Gyldenlöve's siege began on 20 June 1677, when 5000 men camped on Koön. After fierce fighting, the Swedes were forced to surrender and the fortress remained Danish until the peace of 1679.

The siege of Tordenskjold began in April 1719, when the Danish-Norwegian admiral arrived with his fleet. Tordenskjöld used psychological warfare, and by pretending that his troops were larger than they were, he got the Swedes to surrender. The Swedish commander at Carlsten, Lieutenant Colonel Dankwart, was executed for this, and at the Peace of Fredriksborg in 1720 Marstrand was returned to Sweden.

Kanon på Carlstens fästning på Marstrand

Up to the top of the fortress for great views

When you visit Carlsten's fortress, don't miss the opportunity to go up to the top, where you have a wonderful view of both the fortress and Marstrand.

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

It is possible to stay overnight at the fortress, in the Carlsten soldier hotel. There are also hotels in Marstrand itself.

If you come by motorhome, you will find a campsite on Koön in Marstrand (Marstrand's family campsite) and a car park without service on Koön (Mjölkekilsgatan 20). We instead chose a car park at the first bridge, just before driving out to the islands towards Marstrand. Here you stand nicely with a view of the water, but you must be prepared to hear the sound of the cars driving by.

Video from Carlsten Fortress

More to see and do in nearby Bohuslän

There are of course other things to see and experience in the vicinity of Carlsten Fortress and Marstrand. For example, you can make excursions to Åstol and Stora Dyrön or visit Tjörn. If you're a fan of fortresses, don't miss out on Bohus Fortress in Kungälv. In addition, you can of course visit Gothenburg and glorious Gothenburg archipelago.

Have you visited Carlsten Fortress?

Have you visited Carlsten Fortress on Marstrand? Do you like this kind of historical sights?

Facts about Carlsten Fortress in Marstrand

Location: Marstrand
Municipality: Kungälv municipality
County: Västra Götaland County
Landscape: Bohuslän
Behaviour: 1658-1860
Material: Granite and brick
Read more: You can find more information about the fortress at the site's website.

Services and practical information

Opening hours: The fortress is open all year round, but opening hours vary. During June - August, the fortress is open daily, from 10:30 or 11:00. The rest of the year the fortress is open Saturday - Sunday, weather permitting. Group visits can also be booked at other times.
Price: Adults pay 100 SEK/person. Children 6-15 years old pay 50 SEK/person. Children 0-5 years old have free admission (2022) Please note that admission prices are higher during the Fortress Games. The ferry costs for adults 40 SEK/person return, and for children 7-19 years 30 SEK/person return.
Guided tours: Guided tours are included in the admission price, at the times indicated. It is also possible to book guided tours for groups at other times, for a fee.
Food service: Carlsten's waffle café is open during the summer season.
Shop: There is a small shop selling souvenirs and other items.
Overnight stay: You can stay at Carlstens Soldathotell, ranging from single rooms to eight-bed rooms in the Kommendanthuset and Donjonen.
Conference: Conferences can be booked in the fortress all year round, accommodating anything from 20-200 people.

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READ MORE: Things to do in Bohuslän - tips, sights and experiences

2 Comments

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Ditte says:

Marstrand is a favourite and the visits over the years have been many, both in the travel business and privately. Likewise, the fortress is definitely worth visiting. There is a lot of history.
And there are several nice accommodations if you want to stay on Marstrand overnight...
Thanks for the trip here. (Was here late in June but only for the day).

03 August 2022 - 10:59

BP says:

It was a very interesting read. Not much I knew before, I must admit. So much to learn!
Mystery writer Ann Rosman's books are set in Marstrand.

03 August 2022 - 20:15

Carlsten's fortress on Marstrand - an exciting attraction

Carlsten Fortress on Marstrand

Visiting the Carlsten Fortress on Marstrand

Picturesque Marstrand

Carlsten Fortress took 200 years to build

Carlsten Fortress as a prison - and the story of Mätta Fock

Famous prisoners at Carlsten Fortress - Lasse-Maja and Carl Fredrik Lilja

Carlsten Fortress was captured twice

Up to the top of the fortress for great views

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

Video from Carlsten Fortress

More to see and do in nearby Bohuslän

Have you visited Carlsten Fortress?

Facts about Carlsten Fortress in Marstrand

Services and practical information

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Ditte says:

BP says:

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