Urskog Fort, also known as Dingsrud Fort, sits on Dingsrudåsen in Lierfoss. It was built between 1901 and 1903 as one of four border fortifications defending the eastern approaches to Kristiania (Oslo). The other three were at Kongsvinger, Ørje, and Fredriksten in Halden.
The fort's active life was remarkably short. It was built during the tense final years of the Swedish-Norwegian union, when Norway was rapidly arming in case of war with Sweden. After the peaceful dissolution in 1905, the Karlstad agreement required Norway to demolish its border fortifications. Urskog Fort was torn down in 1906, just three years after completion.
The military kept the property until 1937, when the municipality bought it for preservation and recreation. In 1980, the local Rotary club began restoring the ruins in cooperation with Riksantikvaren, Akershus county, and the Defence Museum. The remains are now well-maintained and easy to read as a fortification.
The site is open year-round, 24 hours. It is a good representative of the massive Norwegian military build-up at the turn of the 1900s, and the view from the hilltop is worth the short walk.
The fort's active life was remarkably short. It was built during the tense final years of the Swedish-Norwegian union, when Norway was rapidly arming in case of war with Sweden. After the peaceful dissolution in 1905, the Karlstad agreement required Norway to demolish its border fortifications. Urskog Fort was torn down in 1906, just three years after completion.
The military kept the property until 1937, when the municipality bought it for preservation and recreation. In 1980, the local Rotary club began restoring the ruins in cooperation with Riksantikvaren, Akershus county, and the Defence Museum. The remains are now well-maintained and easy to read as a fortification.
The site is open year-round, 24 hours. It is a good representative of the massive Norwegian military build-up at the turn of the 1900s, and the view from the hilltop is worth the short walk.