Visiting Hemsö Fortress, in the High Coast, is very interesting. There are guided tours that take you down into the once super-secret military facility hidden in the mountain.
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Hemsö Fortress
Hemsö Fortress was built to accommodate a staff of 320 men. The facility had to withstand a nuclear attack and be self-sufficient for 90 days. This means there is a whole world underground, from accommodation and kitchens to diesel plants and medical centres. Today, the fortress is open to tourists and is also the location of the TV series 'Secrets of the Elite Force'.
Hemsö Fortress is located on the island of Hemsön, about 2.7 kilometres northeast of Härnösand.
A top secret fortress in Sweden's defence
In 1914, it was decided to build the Hemsö Fortress to protect the economically and militarily important entrance to the Ångerman River. The fortress was completed over a long period of time, during the 1920s and 1940s. According to the 1942 defence decision, Hemsö Fortress was to be developed into Sweden's largest ever fortress. As the threat grew during the Cold War, the defence was greatly expanded again.
Conscripts from KA 5 in Härnösand did military service on Hemsön until 1989, when the facility was finally decommissioned and became a place for exercises. In 1992, Hemsö Fortress was closed permanently.
Visiting Hemsö Fortress
To visit Hemsö Fortress, you have to take a car ferry across to the island of Hemsön. The ferry is free and runs regularly, so we decided to go, even though the fortress would be closed during the pre-season. We thought that we could at least look around the surroundings and see parts of the fortress from the outside.
It was indeed closed when we arrived. However, we could see some military vehicles outside, we could see some smaller parts of the fortress on the top of the mountain and we could read information on various signs.
We were satisfied with this and sat down in the campervan to have lunch. But then someone knocked on the door! "We're guiding a group today, and if you want, you can join the tour." What luck! Yes, of course we wanted to!
The restaurant
The group that booked the guided tour started with lunch at the restaurant at Hemsö Fortress, so we met them there. We had already eaten, but took a cup of coffee and each a super good, freshly baked small donut. Incidentally, the restaurant is very beautifully located, overlooking the sea, and has all kinds of things on the menu.
Guided tour of Hemsö Fortress
Then it was time for the guided tour! The tour started outdoors, where you can see the parts of the fortress rising above the mountain, where those who would fire certain weapons were positioned.
Then it was time for the most exciting part - going down into the underground fortress. We entered through the "A" entrance, as the main entrance is called, and had to go through a passageway to enter the facility.
Our guide told us that the walkway is constructed in a curved shape, to help protect the fortress from the blast wave of a nuclear attack.
Storage room
We had to start by looking in the storeroom, where there are lots of clothes and other materials. Peter recognised some from his time in the army ...
Health care
Medical care must of course be available in a fortress. The medical equipment here is no longer modern, but it certainly was in its day.
Food service
Another important function is food service. The kitchen in Hemsö Fortress would serve food to over 300 men. In addition, there would be reserves, with food for three months for the entire workforce.
Do you know what the gadget in the picture below is used for? Leave a comment and we'll get back to you with an answer...
Office
A large part of the fortress also contains offices of various kinds. Seeing these rooms is like travelling back to a time before computers and smartphones.
There is an incredible amount to look at that reminds you that development has been very fast. It is particularly interesting to look at old maps. It becomes so clear how the world has changed.
Military activities
Of course, it's not enough to have storage, medical care, food service and offices. You have to be able to shoot too! The equipment to control, and possibly shoot down, alien ships doesn't look modern, but in its day it was probably cutting edge.
All in all, we can say that the visit to Hemsö Fortress was very interesting, educational and exciting.
Where can you stay or park your motorhome?
If you want to stay in a hotel, you will find different options in the centre of Härnösand and at the northern bridgehead of the Högakusten Bridge. We travelled with a motorhome and stood very nicely on the bridge. Snibbens camping.
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
There is of course more to see and do in the neighbourhood of Hemsö Fortress. It is close to the beautiful city of Härnösand, where you'll find the Härnösand Car Museum (Sweden's largest car museum!), the Leisure Boat Museum, Technicus (science centre), the Västernorrland Museum (with open-air museum) and Hernö Gin. A little further north you can also see memories of man, Mount Skule and Slåttdalsskrevan. Please also read all our tips on things to see and do. what to do in the High Coast.
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Have you visited Hemsö Fortress?
Have you visited Hemsö Fortress? If so, how was your visit and experience? Or would you like to visit? Please tell us!
Frequently asked questions about Hemsö Fortress
What is Hemsö Fortress?
Hemsö Fortress is a historic military facility located on the island of Hemsön in the Gulf of Bothnia outside Kramfors, Sweden. It is one of the country's largest coastal fortifications and was built as part of Sweden's defence system in the early 20th century.
What role did Hemsö Fortress play during wartime?
Hemsö Fortress was of strategic importance during the First and Second World Wars and the Cold War. The fortress served as a defence facility to protect the Swedish coast and the naval base at Härnösand. It was used to monitor and defend the Gulf of Bothnia from potential enemies.
Can Hemsö Fortress be used in case of war?
Hemsö Fortress has outlived its role as a military facility. The fortress is too outdated to be used in modern warfare. It is also no longer secret.
Facts about Hemsö Fortress
- Landscape: Ångermanland
- Location: The island of Hemsön in the High Coast
- Built: 1916-1918, 1921-1925 and 1940s
- In use: 1939-1992
- Controlled by: Armed Forces / Defence Forces
- Managed by: State Property Agency
- Read more: You can find more information at The fortress website
Visiting Hemsö Fortress - opening hours and prices
- Opening hours: Guided tours are given in the summer. Groups can also book tours at other times of the year.
- Guided tours: No pre-booking is required. Tickets are purchased at the entrance. Check on the ticket which tour it applies to. The tour starts at the big board at the A entrance (main entrance to the centre).
- Price: Adults 140 kr, young people 11-15 years 80 kr, children 4o kr (2023)
Visiting Hemsö Fortress - good to know
- Parking: Free car parks are available. Motorhomes and caravans can also be parked here.
- Dog: You can ask at the gatehouse if they can dog-sit while you go on a guided tour.
- Accessibility: The facility is more or less accessible and can be accessed by both wheelchair and pram. You can also borrow a wheelchair, walker and pram. If necessary, you can take your car all the way to the restaurant (ask at the entrance).
- Food service: A restaurant is available, about 300 metres from the car park, with full rights.
History at Hemsö Fortress
- 1914: Decision on the construction of the fortress
- 1916: Construction of the fortress began
- 1918: Work on the fortress was suspended and only resumed in 1921.
- The Second World War: The fortress was completed.
- 1953-1957: The heavy battery on Storråberget was built.
- 1989: The last conscripts were drafted at Hemsö Fortress. In the same year, the fortress became a national monument.
- 2005: A museum was opened on Storåberget.
- 2006: A conference centre opened at Havstoudd.
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BP says:
So to Hemsö Fortress I don't have to go irl. This is the second post I read about the fortress and it's great fun that everyone sees different safe. So in the end it will be a complete "picture".
That "grunt" I think is a machine that cuts bread loaves into slices. No idea what the correct name is;-)
10 June 2023 - 19:53
Helena says:
Good guess! But not right... It's probably time for the right answer now, which is: butter slicer! The butter was sliced so that all soldiers and conscripts would get the same size piece of butter for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
12 June 2023 - 6:23
Mr Hans Olsson says:
You can't cut bread with it, but it's perfect for slicing pork sausage.
11 June 2023 - 22:02
Helena says:
Good thought and guess! 🙂 However, the correct answer is: butter slicer. Everyone would get an equal amount of butter on their plate, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
12 June 2023 - 6:24