Tingstäde Fortress

Tingstäde Fortress is a defensive installation in northern Gotland consisting of five separate positions spread across the landscape. The site includes underground tunnels beneath reinforced concrete, earthwork trenches, and protective structures built throughout the boggy terrain.

The fortress was built before World War I to house 5,000 troops and maintain defensive operations for 30 days. This installation reflects Sweden's military concerns of that era and the strategic focus on Baltic Sea security.

The site reveals how soldiers lived and worked during wartime, with preserved rooms showing the daily routines in the barracks and communal spaces. These quarters provide visitors with a direct sense of how people shared life under these conditions.

Visitors can explore the site independently or join guided tours offered by Tingstäde Hembygdsförening at scheduled times. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the boggy ground can be uneven and parts of the site are exposed to weather conditions.

The main structure, Skans 1, contains numerous underground chambers protected by meter-thick concrete walls and surrounded by marshland and boggy terrain. This underground design was meant to withstand prolonged attacks while the harsh landscape made it difficult to approach from outside.

Location: Gotland Municipality

Address: Bulverksvägen 5, SE-624 44

Email: kontakt@tingstadefastning.se

Website: http://tingstadefastning.se/start

GPS coordinates: 57.73557,18.61098

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:25