Archive for category History and architecture
Kongsten Fort, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in History and architecture on November 9, 2010
It was general Caspar de Cicignon, originally from Luxembourg, who planned, drew and built Kongsten (literally ‘The King’s Stone’) as a frontline fortress to defend the fortified town of Fredrikstad (today’s Gamlebyen). Construction was completed in 1685. One of the fort’s distinctive features were the hidden ‘kasematts’ – underground shelters for the army personnel – connected to shooting platforms along the outer walls. A novelty at the time, the kasematts soon caught the attention of leading architects and fortress builders on the continent, who travelled from all over Europe to take a look at them.
In addition to the kasematts, Kongsten also had a depot for gunpowder, grain and guns, a well, barracks, and the live-in-house of the fortress’ commanding officer (complete with a working bakery oven in the basement). A sheltered (underground) road also used to lead from the fortress to the fortified town.
The fortress is still more or less as de Cicignon built it in 1685. It was in use in WW2, but in 1947 it was put under the protection and supervision of Fredrikstad Museum. For several years it served as the city’s official banqueting hall. Today Kongsten is used for open air theatre performances in summer, and as a popular recreational grounds by locals – the fortress’s strategic location on a hill means it affords good views of the surrounding area.
Straddling the Glomma in Askim
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on October 19, 2010
Solbergfoss Power Station
Posted by admin in History and architecture on October 19, 2010
Enjoying a great location by a scenic stretch of the River Glomma north of Askim in Indre Østfold, at the end of an equally pretty road, this is a real find, and a must see in this area. Solbergfoss hydroelectric power station consists of two stations: the impressive Solbergfoss I, which was completed in 1924 (the oldest, and actually the only one visible from outside the complex); and the newer Solbergfoss II, built inside the mountainside, which opened in 1985.
The first power station was designed by Bredo Greve, one of the leading Norwegian architects of the time. The construction of Solbergfoss I was a complicated job, made worse by the lack of construction material and shortage of staff, several strikes among building workers, and steep price increases. It was a huge building site – as many as 700 men worked here simultaneously (two of whom died when a hanging bridge collapsed during construction).
It is Solbergfoss II, the newer plant, however, which is in use year round, as it is the most efficient of the two, while Solbergfoss I is only used at times of floods as a reserve station. The Kaplan turbine in Solbergfoss II is Norway’s largest, with a diametre of 8.3m. It weighs a whopping 170 tons. When fully opened, it lets through 600 cubic metres of water every second.
There is a little park around the complex, which makes a good picnic spot, and on the other side of the river, which you can cross via a bridge over the waterfall, you will find an outdoors exhibition with black and white photos depicting the construction of Solbergfoss I and II.
Borregård and the big landslide of 1702
Posted by admin in History and architecture on October 9, 2010
Another manor with ties to the Glomma River, and not least the Sarpsfossen, Sarpsborg waterfall. Borregård, just like Hafslund, enjoyed a great location on the bank of Norway’s longest river. As it turned out, the manor’s great location was also to play a key role in its demise. In 1702, Borregård belonged to the Dane Jens Wernersen. One night in February 1702, as his pregnant wife went into labour, he summoned the midwife. When the woman came to the house, she noticed big cracks in the ground just outside the main entrance. Understanding that a landslide was imminent, she raised the alarm. Everybody came out of the main building just before it disappeared into the waterfall, but not all the servants made it: 15 of them were killed as they were trying to rescue the cattle in the barn. Almost 200 animals perished with them. The Maria Church, which had been built by St Olav himself back in the 11th century, had gone too. The landslide was the biggest natural catastrophe in Østfold’s history. After that tragic night, the manor was rebuilt in nearby Kulås, where it stands to this day.
Østfold in Pictures: Gamlebyen’s main square
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on September 29, 2010
Top 10: History in Østfold
Posted by admin in History and architecture on September 29, 2010
Interested in history? Here are 10 places to check out when you visit Østfold:
- Gamlebyen, Fredrikstad. Scandinavia’s best preserved fortress town, and one of Norway’s top man-made attractions. Also recently voted as one of the most romantic places in Norway.
- Oldtidsveien, Skjeberg. Østfold is among Norway’s oldest inhabited regions, and stunning rock carving sites, burial mounds and stone rings can all be found along this stretch of road between Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg.
- Fredriksten Fortress, Halden. The strategically located fortress defending the border with Sweden is rich in history – find out more at the local museum, or by joining a guided tour of the compound.
- Høytorp Fort, Mysen. Norway’s greatest inland fortress, high on a hill overlooking Mysen and the surrounding area. You can explore tunnels and bunkers dating back to WW2 (Sundays only, in summer).
- Hans Nielsen Hauge Memorial, Sarpsborg. Hans Nielsen Hauge was a local lay preacher who created the largest religious mass movement in Norwegian history. Visit his home near Sarpsborg, and find out more about his life and influence.
- Moss Ironworks. The place where the Convention of Moss, a ceasefire agreement between Sweden and Norway, was signed in 1814. It put an end to the Swedish Norwegian war, and paved the way for the union between the two countries that was to last until 1905.
- Hvaler Church, Hvaler. One of Norway’s oldest remaining medieval churches. Coins originating from Germany, Denmark, and Sweden have been discovered under the choir floor, the oldest one dating from 1130, indicating that Hvaler’s inhabitants were in contact with the European Continent centuries ago.
- Borgarsyssel Museum, Sarpsborg. Østfold’s largest open-air museum, with a collection of over 30 buildings from all over the county, and some 20,000 local artefacts.
- Rød Herregård, Halden. Østfold is known in Norway as the county of manors (more than half of all the manors in the country can be found here) and this is one of the most famous – complete with original 18th century furniture and Baroque gardens.
- Roald Amundsen’s childhood home, Sarpsborg. Visit the place where one of the greatest polar explorers grew up, and learn more about his achievements. Guided tours.
One of the exhibits inside Tøihuset
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on September 15, 2010
Fredrikstad Museum in Gamlebyen
Posted by admin in History and architecture on September 15, 2010
Taken a stroll in the Old Town? Why not follow this up with a visit to the local museum, housed in what was once Norway’s largest arsenal? Small, but interesting, the museum retells the history of the Old Town through a variety of exhibits ranging from an outdoor toilet (with not one, but two seats) to archeological finds, as well as reconstructed interiors and scenes depicting daily life among soldiers and civilians. There are also archive photos of the old and new towns throughout the years, a 3D model of Gamlebyen when it was still a guarrison town, and an exhibition focusing on military costumes and Norway’s various factions during WW2.
Most of the signs are in Norwegian, but info sheets in English are available. Alternatively you can book a guided tour in English. Allow about one hour.
Tøihusgaten 41. Tel: 69 95 85 00. Entry 40Kr.