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After Norway lost Bohuslen to Sweden in 1658, the border moved dangerously close to the heart of the country. Basmo Fortress was the response: built from the 1680s on an isolated mountain outcrop between lakes Rødenesjøen and Hemnesjøen, it was designed to block a Swedish advance toward Christiania. Major General Johan Caspar von Cicignon drew up the plans for an irregular pentagonal star fortress with a cannon tower at its highest point, armed with up to 24 guns.
During the Great Northern War, the garrison swelled to 1,350 men. Swedish King Charles XII and 1,000 soldiers crossed the border on the night of 9 March 1716, passing through Basmo's area of control. Two years later, Charles returned for his second, and final, invasion of Norway. Despite these dramatic events, the fortress saw no direct battle and proved to be of limited military value. It was abandoned in 1745 after just 62 years of service.
The site was preserved in 1985, and restoration began in 1987. The two lower floors of the stone tower have been rebuilt. The fortress sits in quiet forest near Marker municipality, close to the Swedish border, and makes a good short walk from the parking area.
During the Great Northern War, the garrison swelled to 1,350 men. Swedish King Charles XII and 1,000 soldiers crossed the border on the night of 9 March 1716, passing through Basmo's area of control. Two years later, Charles returned for his second, and final, invasion of Norway. Despite these dramatic events, the fortress saw no direct battle and proved to be of limited military value. It was abandoned in 1745 after just 62 years of service.
The site was preserved in 1985, and restoration began in 1987. The two lower floors of the stone tower have been rebuilt. The fortress sits in quiet forest near Marker municipality, close to the Swedish border, and makes a good short walk from the parking area.
