Bohus Fortress in Sweden

By Terri Mapes

Scandinavia Travel Expert, about.com

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF BOHUS FORTRESS

[post_ads_2]

The Bohus Fortress (also known as Bohus Fästning) is a magnificent castle located on the geographic border of Sweden and Norway. The fortress was built by Haakon V Magnuson, the king of Norway in the 14th century. The construction of this beautiful stone-brick fortress began in the year 1308.

In the 18th century, a decision was made to demolish the fortress that had meanwhile been abandoned and unused. However, not much was demolished due to monetary issues and the fortress remained largely intact. Today, the seven centuries old fortress is open to the public as a museum.

HISTORY OF BOHUS FORTRESS

[post_ads_2]

The beautifully constructed fortress of Bohus has a bitter-sweet history. The fortress was severely damaged during the Northern Seven Year's War that was fought between 1563 and 1570. A major part underneath the tower was blown up by Norwegian forces to counterattack the Swedish forces. The fortress had been attacked about 14 times, but no foreign power was ever able to capture it.

The fortress was later reconstructed by Hans Paaske after serious damage that was caused by the bloody war. The fortress has also been known to be used as a prison. Numerous reconstructions and renovations have been carried out for the castle in the recent years.

WHAT THE TOURS OFFER

[post_ads_2]

The Bohus fortress is located on a 40 meter high cliff and is open to the public as a museum. The castle is beautifully surrounded by the Gota River. On a guided tour, you can enjoy exploring the castle with thick stone walls and enter its huge cold dungeon.

In the month of July, the grand Kungahalla Medieval Festival is celebrated here, during which the events of battles, feasts and dances are re-enacted. The atmosphere is full of adventure and life. It is an amazing piece of architecture and a must-see attraction. Explore the museum of Bohus when you are in Sweden.

There are several Swedish holiday packages offered by tour operators around the world that offer a visit to the Bohus fortress.

The admission fees for the current travel season are categorized in Euros as follows:
Adult (18 years and above)-----9€, Family (couple with 2-5 children)----24€.

OPENING DAYS AND TIMINGS (2015)

[post_ads_2]
The fortress is open to the public from the month of April to October for the year 2015 in the following schedules:

4th April-10th May
Open on weekends and holidays (11:00 to 16:00)
Guided Tour of Bohus castle starts at 13:00 (Swedish)

11th May-28th June
Open daily (10:00 to 18:00) except 20th June, 2015 (closed midsummer)
Guided tour of Bohus castle starts at 12:00 (Swedish), 14:00 (English), 16:00 (Swedish)

29th June-9th August (Kungahalla Festival in July)
Open daily (9:00 to 19:00)
Guided tour of Bohus castle starts at 11:00 (Swedish), 13:00 (English), 15:00 (English), 16:00 (English)

 

10th August-13th September
Open daily (10:00 to 18:00)
Guided tour of Bohus castle starts at 12:00 (Swedish), 14:00 (English), 16:00 (Swedish)

19th September-25th October
Open on weekends (11:00-16:00)
Guided tour of Bohus castle starts at 13:00 (Swedish)

The rest of the days, the entry may be closed to the public. This is subject to change by authorities.

HOW TO REACH THE BOHUS FORTRESS

[post_ads_2]

There are several travel options to reach the fortress by bus, car or a train depending upon your location.
1. Bus Travel

From Oslo, you can get a bus to the fortress. The travel time by bus from Oslo is about 5 hours, and the price range is from 28€-31€ for a single journey.

2. Car Travel

From Oslo, you can take a car to the fortress. The prices vary from which place or city you start from to reach the castle. From Oslo, it would be a 3 hour drive that can cost around 60€.
You can take a bus from Stockholm that would take around 6 hours.

3. Train Travel
You can reach the castle by train from several locations. A train from Stockholm Central would take about 4 hours. You would have to take a bus Goteborg Nordstan to the fortress. From Oslo, you can take a train uptil Bohus station. You will need to change the train at Trolllhattan Central to reach the fortress. The time from Oslo to the fortress by train is about 4 hours.

ADDRESS OF THE CASTLE
Bohus Fortress, Fastingsholmen, 442 3, Kungälv, Sweden.