Stockholm has been surrounded by fortifications since its foundation in the 13th century. By the late 19th century, these had been pushed out to Stockholm's northern suburbs and Stockholm archipelago.

Understand

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See Stockholm military tour and Swedish Empire.

The Swedish Armed Forces and other government agencies have a serious security protocol for facilities still in use. The venues listed here are abandoned or in civilian use, and are to some extent open to the public.

Get around

Driving is the easiest way to get around. Vaxholm, Rindö and Värmdö are connected by car ferries. Cycling can be considered for fit visitors, when weather allows; see cycling in Sweden.

Danderyd line

• 1 Karby batteri.  
• 2 Prästgårdsfortet. 
• 3 Skogbergafortet. 
• 4 Gullsjöfortet. 
• 5 Margretelundsfortet.  
• 6 Västra Arningefortet.  
• 7 Östra Arningefortet.  
• 8 Sandvikens batteri. 

Vaxholm line

Vaxholm fortress used to be the centerpiece of Stockholm's coastal defense, and preserves its heritage until today.

• 9 Pålsundsbatteriet. A strait which has been fortified since the 16th century. The surviving fortification was built in the 1870s.  
• 10 Kronuddsbatteriet.  
• 11 Vaxholm Fortress (Vaxholms fästning) (Stockholm archipelago). A fortress which has guarded Stockholm's harbour since the 16th century, and famously resisted an attack by the Russian Empire in 1719. Over the centuries, an extensive coastal defense system was built across the archipelago, with Vaxholm as its headquarters. Since 2003, the fortress has a museum of its history, as well as hospitality venues.  
• 12 Rindö redutt.  
• 13 Vaxholm Garrison. Military quarters converted to housing and commercial buildings.  
• 14 Boat Hall (Rindö).  
• 15 Oskar-Fredriksborg. A fortress.  
• 16 Fredriksborg.  

Places nearby

• 17 Jarlabanke bridge (Runriket) (Täby). An 11th century road in a district with plenty of runestones, and the site of an annual Viking festival.  
• 1 Arninge. An outdoor shopping center.  
• 18 Östra Ryds church. A church with parts from the early 14th century.  
• 19 Rydboholm Castle (Rydboholms slott) (Åkersberga). An old castle, once owned by the Swedish royal dynasty "Vasaätten". (updated Oct 2017)
• 20 Bogesund Palace (Bogesunds slott), Per Brahes väg (Vaxholm). A palace.  

Go next

• Uppland history tour
• Stockholm Archipelago trail