Kastellet is a small
citadel
A citadel is the core fortified area of a town or city. It may be a castle, fortress, or fortified center. The term is a diminutive of "city", meaning "little city", because it is a smaller part of the city of which it is the defensive core.
I ...
located on the islet
Kastellholmen
Kastellholmen is an islet in the centre of Stockholm, Sweden. It belongs to the district of Skeppsholmen. It is connected to adjacent Skeppsholmen through the Kastellholmsbron bridge.
Kastellholmen has an area of 31,000 m². Kastellholme ...
in central
Stockholm,
Sweden.
History
The first fortification on the location was built in 1667 designed by Governor-general and Field marshal
Erik Dahlbergh
''
Count Erik Jönsson Dahlbergh (10 October 162516 January 1703) was a Swedish military engineer, Governor-general and Field marshal. He rose to the level of nobility through his military competence. As an architect and draftsman, he was reno ...
(1625–1703). In 1676, Dahlbergh was made director-general of fortifications for the
Realm of Sweden. After the fleet moved to
Karlskrona in 1680, the castle fell into disrepair
Kastellet exploded in June 1845 and subsequently was built 1846-1848 to the design of military officer and architect
Fredrik Blom
Fredrik Blom (24 January 1781 – 25 September 1853) was a Swedish officer, architect and professor at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts.
Life
Fredrik Blom was born in Karlskrona. His father was a compass maker journeyman. He began his career as ...
(1781–1853). It consists of a round tower with red brick walls and a stair tower.
[ ]
The castle regained its defensive function during
World War II when it became part of Stockholm's permanent air defense. The tower and battery plane were then equipped with fast-firing anti-aircraft guns. The
Swedish Coastal Artillery training school departed Kastellet in 1990. On the top of the Kastellet, the
Military Ensign of Sweden is hoisted and lowered every day, indicating the nation is at peace. On May 17, 1996, the
Norwegian Constitution Day
Constitution Day is the national day of Norway and is an official public holiday observed on 17 May each year. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to as ''Syttende Mai'' ("Seventeenth of May"), ''Nasjonaldagen'' ("National Day"), or ''Grunnlo ...
, some Norwegian
expats
An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person who resides outside their native country. In common usage, the term often refers to educated professionals, skilled workers, or artists taking positions outside their home country, either ...
temporarily raised the Norwegian flag in the tower.
[Sjöstaden Stockholm 750 år, p 19]
See also
*
Architecture of Stockholm
The architecture of Stockholm has a history that dates back to the 13th century, possibly even earlier. According to some sources, there might have been a simple defense structure, perhaps a small castle, on the northeast part of the island Stad ...
*
History of Stockholm
The history of Stockholm, capital of Sweden, for many centuries coincided with the development of what is today known as Gamla stan, the Stockholm Old Town. Stockholm's ''raison d'être'' always was to be the Swedish capital and by far the large ...
*
Skeppsholmen
Skeppsholmen is one of the islands of Stockholm. It is connected with Blasieholmen and Kastellholmen by bridges. It is accessible by foot from Kungsträdgården, past the Grand Hôtel and Nationalmuseum, by bus number 65, or by boat from Slus ...
Notes
References
*
Buildings and structures in Stockholm
Forts in Sweden
{{fort-stub