Construction of Nya Älvsborg Fortress began in 1653 and was completed in 1677 as an important defensive structure at the mouth of the Göta River. The fortress has never been taken, despite repeated Danish attacks during the 18th century, and is today one of Sweden's best-preserved naval fortresses. Nya Älvsborg Fortress was attacked several times by the Danish fleet, between 1717-1719, but it was never taken. Even today, you can still see the cannonballs embedded in the fortress church
History
New Älvsborg Fortress (Nya Elfsborg) began in 1653 after a fortification plan of the general
Johan Wärnschiöld and was not finished until 1677. Between 1653 and 1677 a civil war broke out in 1657 and then the work temporarily was stopped.
Before Älvsborg was built was the first fort on the mainland that we today call the Old Älvsborg Fortress. Old Älvsborg is documented in old documents already in 1366. In 1563 and 1612, the fortress was conquered by the Danish. Swedes had to pat ransom each time to recover the fortress.
The ruins of the Old Älvsborg located next to the Rock (Mr. Svante Street).
1719 - Danish fleet strikes!
For a few days in 1719, the fortress was attacked by the Danes under the command of the sea hero Tordenskiöld. At this time, Johan Abraham Lillie was the deputy commander at New Elfsborg. Today we can thank you that Johan Abraham Lillie did not capitulate when Tordenskiöld sent his envoys to the Fortress. Twice Tordenskiöld sent a messenger and each time Johan said "we will not surrender". The battle went on for four days and Johan Abraham Lillie also finally got help from Colonel Georg Bogislaus Staël von Holstein who fired the Danes from Hising side.
Some fun facts
When the "Old Älvsborg Fortress" imposed as a defense facility in 1660 a lot of stone is taken from the fortress to use the be used in the construction of the New Älvsborg Fortress.
Prison
From the late 1700s to 1866 the forttress was a prison. In 1868 ended Älvsborg Fortress as a defense facility. After the peace with Denmark in 1720 the fortress started to become more and more a ruin.
Some Commandants on the Iland?
1814-1843 appointed Major Krook as commandant of the Elfsborg fortress. At this time, there were several prisoners on the island. After Major Krook took Colonel Carl Gustav Qyanten over 1843. He was amoung others known for his violent temper. He put people in jail on the island if they didn´t "fell" to his liking ....