Syreneset fort is a German World War II coastal battery at Syre, near the southern tip of Karmøy, just outside Skudeneshavn. It is one of the most impressive military installations on Haugalandet.
The battery was designated HKB 3/978 Syre and became operational in March 1943. It was armed with five 12.2 cm Soviet-Russian guns with a range of 21 kilometres. The guns were captured from the Soviet Union and repositioned here to protect the shipping lanes west of Karmøy when Karmsundet was blocked by mines. The Kriegsmarine also installed a FuMO 214 Würzburg Reise radar behind the battery with a detection range of 80 kilometres.
The battery was built using Soviet prisoners of war as forced labour. The crew bunkers are of type R655, the only ones of their kind in Norway.
Today the site is abandoned but well preserved. You can walk freely among the concrete bunkers, gun positions, and command posts. There are no guides, no tickets, and no opening hours. Follow the path from the parking area to the top of the hill; plan about 30 to 45 minutes for the walk there and back, plus time to explore. The path is about one kilometre each way.
If you are visiting Skudeneshavn, the fort is a short drive away and worth the detour if you have any interest in military history.
The battery was designated HKB 3/978 Syre and became operational in March 1943. It was armed with five 12.2 cm Soviet-Russian guns with a range of 21 kilometres. The guns were captured from the Soviet Union and repositioned here to protect the shipping lanes west of Karmøy when Karmsundet was blocked by mines. The Kriegsmarine also installed a FuMO 214 Würzburg Reise radar behind the battery with a detection range of 80 kilometres.
The battery was built using Soviet prisoners of war as forced labour. The crew bunkers are of type R655, the only ones of their kind in Norway.
Today the site is abandoned but well preserved. You can walk freely among the concrete bunkers, gun positions, and command posts. There are no guides, no tickets, and no opening hours. Follow the path from the parking area to the top of the hill; plan about 30 to 45 minutes for the walk there and back, plus time to explore. The path is about one kilometre each way.
If you are visiting Skudeneshavn, the fort is a short drive away and worth the detour if you have any interest in military history.