Fredrikstad is one of the first major cities in Norway which was established in the Middle Ages. The order to found a city on this territory was given by King Fredrik II in 1567. It was decided to construct a fortification to protect the city from attacks.  

As a result, three large forts were built in Fredrikstad, each of which had not only defensive functions but also served as a weapons depot.

Only one fort has survived to our time – the Kongsten Fort which was built in 1683. Initially, it was called Kristiansten, in honor of King Christian V. This fact is confirmed by the monogram of the king which is still preserved above the main gate. But over time the name was simplified and people began to call it – the Kongsten Fort.

The construction of the fort was designed by the architect Johan Caspar von Cicignon who arrived in Fredrikstad from Monaco in the 1670s. Before he started to build the Kongsten Fort, he had already built several large fortifications in Norway. So people trusted him. They knew that his project would be really strong and secure.

The Kongsten Fort was almost an innovative structure at that time. Firstly, it was incredibly strong. Secondly, the main gate was durable and impregnable. Thirdly, the fort had large food warehouses in case of a siege. There was also the residence of the commandant who lived in the fort with his family.

You can find a small stone house, the purpose of which is not very clear. This is covered well. Water was necessary for life and work in the Kongsten Fort, and for the sake of avoiding its poisoning the architect came up with the idea of closing the source with a secure building.

A special pride of the fort is hidden casemates. They are located in the underground. That was the place where weapons and cannons were stored and criminals and prisoners were kept. Even historians find it difficult to answer the question of how many of them were here initially. Now there are only four fortified cellars.