Skansen, Tromso

Skansen, also known as Rundellen, stands as a significant fortification within the Norwegian city of Tromso. This ensemble of buildings holds the distinction of being the oldest in the city, with its fortress wall serving as the sole visible structure preserved from the Middle Ages. Designated as historical monuments since 1978, Skansen and a portion of the bay in the Tromsøysund Strait are revered for their historical significance. Moreover, Skansen was elected as the Millennium Site by the Tromso Municipality, symbolizing the transition into the 21st century.

Skansen is characterized by its circular fortress, situated atop an artificial plateau measuring approximately 50 meters in diameter. The fortress wall, standing three to four meters tall, features a gentle slope inward, with historical records suggesting it was once higher. Evidence suggests that palisades may have adorned the rampart for added protection, although this remains speculative. In 1808, four cannons were mounted on the eastern rampart, featuring carriages meticulously replicated from those found at Vardøhus Fortress.

Within the confines of the rampart, seven buildings exist, constructed between 1789 and 1793, though they do not originate from the same period as the fortress itself. The name Castle Hill hints at the possibility of a castle once occupying the site, as suggested by geologist Karl Pettersen in 1878. Similarly, Austrian Jesuit priest Maximilian Hell described Skansen as an ancient royal castle in 1769. The first written mention of Skansen dates back to 1743, documented by Major Peter Schnitler in a border protocol.