12th Artillery Battery, Rindö

The 12th Artillery Battery is a coastal fortification in Vaxholm Municipality equipped with artillery to defend the Swedish shoreline. The site preserves gun emplacements, ammunition storage areas, and defensive structures that demonstrate early 20th century military engineering.

The battery was built in the late 19th century as part of a broader coastal defense system to protect Stockholm. It remained in operation for decades before being decommissioned in 1933 when military strategies shifted.

The name refers to its designation as the twelfth artillery unit in the coastal defense network. Visitors today see it as a working example of how Sweden chose to defend its waters during a specific era.

The site is located on an island and is best reached by ferry, allowing for a calm arrival. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the terrain is uneven and involves stairs connecting the different gun positions.

The guns were deliberately positioned on Rindö to control shipping along several sea routes approaching Stockholm. This strategic placement made it a critical node in the broader defense network of the archipelago.