Kristiansten festning
Fortress from the 1680s on Erlandshaugen in Trondheim, with a museum in the cannon tower Donjon, a fortress area with free admission, and a café in the commandant's house.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Kristiansten festning (Kristiansten Fortress) lies on Erlandshaugen above Trondheim and was designed by Johan Caspar de Cicignon after the city fire of 1681. Construction of the ramparts, walls and the cannon tower Donjon began in 1682. The fortress was to protect the city against new attacks, after Trondheim had been under Swedish control in 1658, and it covered the land route into the city.
During the Swedish campaign in Trøndelag in the autumn of 1718, General Carl Gustaf Armfeldt besieged the city. The fortress was well armed, and Armfeldt did not dare to storm it. Kristiansten was later decommissioned as a fortress in 1816 and then served, among other things, as a fire watch station.
During the Second World War the Germans made the fortress operational again, built anti-aircraft positions and used the Haubitsmagasinet (howitzer store) as a prison. The fortress is today protected by Riksantikvaren (the Directorate for Cultural Heritage). Donjon, which was home to the first commandant, now houses exhibitions from Forsvarshistorisk museum (the Museum of Military History), and the area is used for concerts and events. Forsvarsbygg (the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency) manages the site.
Highlights
- Donjon, the cannon tower from the 1680s, with a museum exhibition
- The fortress grounds with ramparts, cannons and views over Trondheim
- Café in the former commandant's house
- Free access to the fortress grounds
- Concerts and events in the summer season
Permanent exhibition
- Utstilling i Donjon – Exhibitions from the Museum of Military History in the cannon tower where the first commandant lived.
- Operated by
- Forsvarsbygg
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The fortress lies on Erlandshaugen above the centre of Trondheim, by Kristianstensbakken.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Café in the former commandant's house. Coffee, ice cream and refreshments are also sold in the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group tours are arranged by the Friends of Kristiansten festning (Venneforeningen for Kristiansten festning) and must be booked in advance. Dogs must be kept on a lead; barbecues and open fires are prohibited all year, and climbing on cannons or walls is not allowed. |
