Bohus fästning

About the museum

Bohus fortress stands on a high cliff where the Göta älv and the Nordre älv rivers divide at Kungälv. As early as the 1250s the Norwegian king had a fortification built in the area to protect the town of Kongahälla, and in 1308 a wooden fortress was erected on Bagaholmen, called Bagahus and later Bohus. For more than 300 years the site was extended by Norwegian and Danish kings, above all Christian IV, and it became a Renaissance castle and one of the most powerful fortresses in the North.

The fortress withstood fourteen sieges but was never taken. At the Peace of Roskilde in 1658 Bohuslän became Swedish, and the fortress passed to the Swedish crown. The worst siege took place in the summer of 1678, when around 15,000 Danes and Norwegians bombarded the 800 Swedish and Finnish defenders for two months. Bohus was also used as a prison for nearly 500 years.

In 1789 Gustav III ordered the fortress to be levelled, and the people of Kungälv were allowed to take stone from the ruin. In 1838 Karl XIV Johan stopped the further destruction, and since then the site has been restored. Today Bohus fortress is a ruin that mostly lies under open sky. It is managed by Statens fastighetsverk (the Swedish National Property Board) and offers guided tours, exhibitions, children's activities and events.

Highlights

• The ruin of one of the most powerful fortresses in the North
• Digital guiding in five languages
• Dungeons, casemates and towers
• Lift between the fortress levels
• Children's activities such as archery and a jousting horse on rails
• View over the Göta älv and the Nordre älv

Permanent exhibition

• Fästningens historia och digital guidning – Exhibitions and digital guiding about the fortress's history, the sieges and its time as a prison.

Operated by

Statens fastighetsverk

Admission & discounts

The day ticket is valid at any time during opening hours on the same day, but not for evening events.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The fortress is a ruin that mostly lies under open sky, with stony and uneven ground, and some areas are closed for safety reasons. There is a wheelchair-accessible entrance, a self-service lift between the fortress levels (reached via the east grille gate, where there are two disabled parking spaces; staff open the gate at the entrance) and an accessible toilet. Many places are nevertheless hard to reach. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's activities such as a bouncy castle, archery, a jousting horse on rails, kubb and tug of war, and the dungeons. During 1 October–1 April some activities may be closed. Pushchairs can be brought in via the wheelchair-accessible entrance, but the ground is uneven. Children's parties can be booked.

Getting there & parking

The fortress can be seen from both the E6 and the E45. Turn off towards Kungälv and follow the brown signs. It takes about 20 minutes from Gothenburg city centre.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Food wagon between 22 June and 31 August. Souvenir shop at the entrance. Toilets are available on the site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Spaces can be hired for weddings, concerts and private gatherings.

Plan your visit