Norske Løve Fortress, Military fortress in Horten, Norway.
Norske Løve Fortress is a military fort in Horten featuring 22 open casemates, each built to hold three-ton cannons. A water-filled moat runs around the entire perimeter of the structure.
Built between 1852 and 1859 under Balzar Nicolai Garben, the fortress was constructed to protect Karljohansvern naval station. It served as a key defense position for Norway's maritime interests during that era.
The name refers to the Norwegian Lion, a national symbol deeply rooted in Norway's official heraldry for centuries. Walking around the site, you can sense this symbolic connection in how the fortress was designed and named.
The site currently serves as an administrative building for the Norwegian naval officers training school and remains an active military facility. Access may be limited, so visitors should check availability ahead of time.
German forces sealed the open casemates during World War II, yet most of the original fortress design remains visible today. Walking through, you can spot traces of these wartime modifications on the walls.
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