Christiansfjel Fortress was initially established by Count Wedel-Jarlsberg in 1683 as Hammersberg Skanse. A tower with a cellar powder magazine was among the first buildings at this Norwegian fortress.
During Christian V's 1685 visit to Norway he visited Hammersberg skanse on June 14th. Recognizing its important location on the Swedish border, he renamed the fortress Christiansfjell and directed continued improvements. An extensive report of the visit includes illustrations of the fortress at that time.
Commanding officers at Christiansfjell Fortress were:
- Jonas Budde, (1684-1688)
- Bernt Kretz, (1688-1694)
- Jens Flor, (1695-1710)
- Wilhelm Ernst Levin von Treiden, (1710-1716)
- Anders Nilsen Wiborg, (1717-1718)
- Conrad Kaufmann, (1719-1720)
- Joachim Frederik von Gelhorn, (1720-1727)
- Jens Aamodt, (1727-1729)
- Hans Parelius, (1729-1742)
After the Great Northern War some of the smaller border forts were determined to be more expensive than their utility justified and they were closed. On July 13, 1742 Christiansfjell Fortress was closed and the materials were moved to Kongsvinger Fortress.
Famous quotes containing the word fortress:
“Man is exceedingly well defended against himself, against being scouted out and besieged by himself, and he is usually able to make out no more of himself than his outer fortifications. The actual fortress is inaccessible to him, even invisible, unless his friends and enemies turn traitor to him and lead him there by secret paths.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)