Skansin, Military fortress in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.

Skansin is a fortress on a hill by Tórshavn harbour, built in 1580 by Magnus Heinason. Its grass-covered ramparts hold four Danish cannon cast between 1776 and 1813 and two 5.5-inch guns from the British occupation of 1940. The Skansin Lighthouse, a white and red tower, stands above the site.

Magnus Heinason built Skansin in 1580 to protect Tórshavn from pirate and slave raids, after he had nearly been caught in one himself. The fort was considerably expanded in 1780 and rebuilt repeatedly afterwards. In 1808 British warships damaged it badly during the Napoleonic Wars, and from 1940 it served Britain as a military base.

Locals call Skansin the most peaceful fortress in the world, since in practice only salutes were ever fired from it. The site is a popular outing spot thanks to its position right by the harbour, and the older Danish cannon standing there date from 1776 to 1813.

The fortress is free to enter and open at all times, making it easy to visit whenever suits your schedule. The elevated location provides sweeping views of the harbor, surrounding islands, and coastal landscape.

The two 5.5-inch guns on the ramparts are not from a warship: they were installed by British forces who used Skansin as a military base after occupying the Faroes in April 1940. Beside them stand four much older Danish cannon cast between 1776 and 1813. Locals call Skansin the world's most peaceful fortress, since in practice only salutes were ever fired from it.