| Christiansholm Fortress | |
|---|---|
| Kristiansand, Norway | |
Portion of the fortress featuring the tower. |
|
| Built | 1672 |
| In use | 1672-1872 |
| Controlled by | Norway |
| Battles/wars | Attempted English raid in 1807 |
Christiansholm Fortress (Christiansholm festning) was a Norwegian fortress built to defend the city of Kristiansand.
The fortress was finished in 1672 and formed a part of King Christian IV's plan for defense of Kristiansand when the city was founded in 1641. The architect of the fortress was quartermaster general Willem Coucheron. It was built on an islet, about 100 yards from shore. Today the fortress is connected to the mainland.
The only time the fortress has been in battle was against the English fleet in 1807 during the Napoleonic Wars. It was decommissioned by royal decree during June 1872 as part of a major redevelopment of fortifications across the nation.
Today, Christiansholm is a tourist attraction and venue for a variety of cultural events and festivities. It is now owned by the municipality and is a site used principally for recreation.