Head to the top of Risåsberget to see Skansen Kronan, one of two defense redoubts that were intended to protect Gothenburg over three centuries ago. Superb views across the red roofs of the city and blue waters of the harbor are your reward for making the climb.
The Skansen Kronan redoubt was built in 1641 when King Karl XI decided that Gothenburg needed to be prepared for a potential invasion from Denmark. The architect Erik Dahlberg designed a fortress and the Skansen Kronan and its twin redoubt, the Skansen Lejonet, have been focal points of the city ever since. You can tell the two apart by looking at their top features, which gave the structures their names: The Kronan supports a gilded wooden crown and the Lejonet, a lion.
Walk around the six-sided shape and dappled granite walls of Skansen Kronan to appreciate how much effort it must have taken countless soldiers over the years to transport the stone needed for the castle’s structure up the hillside. The granite, gneiss and diabase walls are up to 16 feet (five meters) thick in places.
If Skansen Kronan was intended to intimidate, it certainly worked, since the fortress was never attacked. Notice the large cannons visible from afar as you approach they have never been fired. Skansen Kronan served as a prison for a while, then as a place of residence. It finally became a military museum during the 20th century.
These days the Skansen Kronan is a venue for conferences and weddings, restricting access to the interior. It is still worthwhile coming here even if you’re not marrying or meeting. You can imagine how soldiers on lookout would have scanned the area or simply enjoy the dramatic scene.
Skansen Kronan is located on the Risåsberget (also called Skansberget) in the Haga district, in Gothenburg’s south. The hill is accessible year-round, free of charge. It is easiest to get here by tram, get off at Hagakyrkan and walk across Haga. To get to the top, either take the staircase from Frigångsgatan, the sloping trail from Skanstorget or the footpath from Lilla Risåsgatan.
