Kristiansten Fortress

About

Kristiansten Fortress is an important part of the City of Trondheim's identity, and an area with excellent environmental qualities. Kristiansten Fortress is often used for various cultural events and the city's inhabitants use the area for recreational purposes. On the night of 19 April 1681, Trondheim experienced the biggest and most destructive of many town fires. Afterwards, King Christian V asked Major General Jean Caspar de Cicignon and his chief of staff Quartermaster General Anthony Coucheron to prepare a new plan for the city and its fortification. A completely new network of streets was built, with wide streets in accordance with the Baroque ideal and fortifications around the city centre. The result was a fortress town based on the Continental model, surrounded by fortified ramparts to the south and west, and with two tower fortresses – Munkholmen out on the fjord to the north of the city and Kristiansten, on a hill above the city . Kristiansten was completed in 1684.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes