Båhus Fortress (also listed as Bohus or Bahus) lay northeast of the point where the Göta älv divides into two channels around the island of Hissingen .

Båhus Fortress construction began in 1308 under King Håkon V Magnuson, king of Norway from 1299 until 1319. Håkon V also initiated construction of Norwegian Fortresses at Akershus and Vardøhus as part of a defensive policy to offset Swedish fortresses such as that at Kongehelle . It served as a main defense against Swedish aggression along the coast from 1308 until 1658, and was recognized as the strongest of the Norwegian fortresses in 1450. Under the terms of the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658, Denmark-Norway ceded the Danish provinces of Scania, Blekinge and Halland and the Norwegian provinces Trondhjem and Bahusia (including Båhus Fortress).

After Denmark-Norway had lost Båhus Fortress, Fredriksten Fortress was constructed in Fredrikshald on the new Norwegian-Swedish border.

Since Båhus Fortress no longer lay on the border, it was of minimal future use to Sweden, which relied on the existing Älvsborg Fortress at Gothenburg and a new Carlsten Fortress erected at Marstrand. The fortress is now a museum, of interest to many Norwegians

External Links

• Båhus Fortress - Note this site incorrectly indicates Båhus fortress construction began during the reign of Norwegian King Haakon VI. Haakon VI Magnusson was son of King Magnus Ericsson of Sweden and Norway. In 1343, at 3 years of age, Haakon VI was placed on the Norwegian throne, which was ruled during his minority by King Magnus Ericsson, and which occured well after the start of Båhus Fortress construction in 1308.

References

Norges festninger by Guthorm Kavli; Universitetsforlaget; 1987; ISBN 82-00-18430-7