Hunehals, Medieval fortress ruins near Kungsbacka, Sweden
Hunehals is a medieval fortress located on the Hanhalsholme peninsula, overlooking the eastern shore of Kungsbackafjord. The stone remains stand about five kilometers south of Kungsbacka and show the typical layout of a fortified residence from that era.
Count Jakob of Halland built this fortress around 1290 after being exiled from Denmark for his involvement in King Erik Klipping's murder in 1286. The stronghold served as a refuge for a small community of outcasts.
The fortress earned its name 'Castle of the Outlaws' because of its link to Count Jakob and his followers during their exile. Visitors can still sense this dramatic chapter in the structure that remains.
The site is reached through a marked trail from the parking area, with informational signs and QR codes that explain the medieval history. Visit during dry weather, as the ground is rocky and exposed to the elements.
Excavations uncovered 14th-century arrowheads that suggest the fortress remained occupied longer than the last recorded mentions from 1328 indicate. These finds hint that the community persisted for generations beyond what written records show.
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