Hemsö fästning

About the museum

Hemsö fästning (Hemsö fortress) at the mouth of the Ångermanälven was built to protect Härnösand harbour and the entrance to the Norrland coast. The decision to build a fortress was taken in 1914, but the work was interrupted and resumed several times, and the installation was not completed until the Second World War. According to the defence decision of 1942, Hemsö was to become Sweden’s largest fortress.

During the Cold War the heavy battery at Storråberget was built in 1953–1957 as a rock installation with corridors several hundred metres long, covering around 5,000 square metres and blasted 40 metres into the rock. The installation could hold 340 men and survive isolated for about three months, with its own power supply, kitchens, mess halls, medical care, quarters and a fire-control centre. The light battery at Havstoudd was added in 1961–1963, and the measuring station on Kläffsön in 1967–1968.

Conscripts from the coastal artillery regiment KA 5 in Härnösand did part of their military service on Hemsön until 1989, and in 1992 the installation was closed down. It is a state-listed building (statligt byggnadsminne) and is managed by Statens fastighetsverk (the Swedish National Property Board). Since autumn 2009 the operation has been run by Christer and Kristina Sefbom, who offer guided tours, a restaurant and accommodation.

Visitors take a guided tour that starts up by the large 15.2 cm turret guns and leads down through the rock, past quarters, kitchens, workshops, the sick bay and the fire-control centre, ending at the restaurant.

Highlights

• Guided tour through one of the Cold War’s largest and most secret installations
• 15.2 cm turret guns up on the rock
• Untouched environment with quarters, kitchens, sick bay and fire-control centre
• Installation of about 5,000 square metres, 40 metres down in the rock
• Restaurant with a view of the sea

Permanent exhibition

• Guidad tur genom Storråberget (HÖ1) – A tour from the turret guns on the top of the rock down through the preserved rock chambers, with quarters, kitchens, workshops, sick bay and fire-control centre.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Christer och Kristina Sefbom (ägare: Statens fastighetsverk)

Admission & discounts

The entrance fee applies only to the guided tour; the restaurant can be visited without a ticket.

Accessibility

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

According to the website, the installation is more or less fully adapted for wheelchairs and pushchairs, which can also be borrowed on site. Transport between the car park and the restaurant can be arranged if requested at the entrance. Accessible toilets and a changing table are near the entrance.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Children aged 4–10 have a special ticket price. Pushchairs can be borrowed on site.

Getting there & parking

Drive from the E4, just north of Älandsbro, about 10 km to the ferry landing. The free car ferry takes 6–7 minutes. After the ferry, keep left and drive about 4 km, turn right at the sign Hemsö fästning and follow the gravel road about 4.5 km up the western side of Storråberget. Guest harbours are at Hultom and Båthamn; a pick-up can be booked the day before.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Restaurant at the exit from the rock, about 300 metres from the car park, with a daily buffet, an à la carte menu and fika. Accommodation is available on Havstoudd.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit