Fortifications of Gothenburg

Lithography of Gothenburg, 1705 (south is up); the bastions from right to left are: Carolus XI Rex, Carolus Gustavus Rex, Christina Regina, Carolus Dux, John Dux, Gustavus Magnus, Carolus Rex IX, John Rex and Gustavus Primus.

The Carolus Rex bastion (also referred to as Hållgårdsbastionen) at Rosenlund, Gothenburg.

The fortifications of Gothenburg were initially embankments along the newly dug city moat, with construction beginning in 1624 under the leadership of 2 engineers, Captain Johan Schultz (Schouten) and Johan Jacobssen Kuyl (Kuhl?), following a design by chief engineer Johan Rodenburg. The works were based upon the well-established Dutch school of fortification.

When Erik Dahlberg took responsibility for Sweden's fortifications in 1676 he implemented Karl XI's wishes for modern bastions of high wall construction. The ramparts were lined with walls of blasted rock and the fortified town of Gothenburg developed with 13 polygonal bastions and accompanying moat, ravelins and 3 city gates (Kungsporten; Nya porten, later renamed Drottningporten; and Karlsporten/Hållgårdsporten).

The demolition of the fortifications began in 1807, and was completed within 10 years. The only surviving piece of bastion is Carolus Rex, on the side of the Lilla Otterhällan hill.

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