Foto: varangermuseum.no
🏛️ Museum
Vardøhus Festning
The worlds northernmost fortress—a northern frontier guard
About Vardøhus Festning
Vardøhus is the worlds northernmost fortress and Norways easternmost, located on an island in the Barents Sea in Norways easternmost city. The present structure was built between 1734 and 1738 as an octagonal star fortress with low, stone-faced earthworks. It is the third fortress on the site—earlier ones were erected around the year 1300 under King Haakon VI Magnusson to secure Norwegian sovereignty in the north. Within the bastion walls lie nine distinctive buildings in a closed courtyard, including the commandants residence, the powder tower, and the bomb house. Most contain their own exhibitions presenting the fortresss military, administrative, and cultural history. The entire complex was placed under protection by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage in 2007. The fortress still has a military commandant and is the only saluting unit in Northern Norway. A sun salute is fired when the entire sun disc reappears above the horizon after the period of darkness. Forsvarsbygg manages the property, while Varanger Museum operates the museum activities. The fortress area is open to the public year-round with free admission.
FestningHistorieSaluttKulturminne
Find us
Directions📍 Festningsgaten 20, 9950 Vardø
Explore more in Vardø →Nearby
Eat, stay and explore nearby
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🛏️ Places to stay nearby
Vardø Hotel
0.3 kmViews towards the Barents Sea and harbor
Hotel in Vardø with harbor views, breakfast and sauna – short walk to town center, birdwatching and arctic experiences.
Meieriet
0.6 kmGuesthouse, restaurant and bar in the heart of Vardø
Meieriet is a centrally located guesthouse in Vardø with its own restaurant and bar. All rooms feature private bathrooms, seating areas, TV and complimentary wifi, and guests have access to a shared lounge.
Svartbakken Rooms
2.8 kmSimple rooms with sea views at Svartnes in Vardø
Svartbakken Rooms offers simple rooms with sea views at Svartnes in Vardø, near the airport and Bussesundet. Guests share kitchen facilities, and the property features free wifi and free private parking.
🍽️ Places to eat nearby
Nordpol Kro
0.3 kmSince 1864 — Norway's easternmost inn
North Norway's oldest inn in Vardø, dating from the 1800s – pizza and simple dishes, bar and live music in historic surroundings.
Varangerkokken
0.3 kmFresh fish from the Barents Sea, straight to your table
The restaurant at Vardø Hotel – fresh fish and local Varanger ingredients with views over the harbour and the Barents Sea.
Haugenstua
0.4 kmAuthentic flavors in the heart of Vardø
Haugenstua is a restaurant and café in the heart of Vardø serving Norwegian cuisine made with local ingredients and traditional methods. You will find a warm and relaxed atmosphere here, whether you are looking for a quick lunch or a cozy meal.
🔭 Experiences nearby
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Aurora Kino Vardø
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Aurora Kino Vardø viser film i kultursalen i Vardø flerbrukshus.
Finnmark Surf
36 kmArctic surfing from Varanger fjord
Varangers first professional surf school – surf guiding, equipment rental and surf camping in Vadsø.
Camp Syltefjord
43 kmSummer café and activity basecamp by Syltefjorden
Camp Syltefjord is an idyllic summer café and activity basecamp by Syltefjorden, run by Båtsfjord Brygge. Here, good local food is combined with nature experiences in one of the wildest and most beautiful areas in Finnmark, approximately 30 minutes drive from Båtsfjord.
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Vardøhus Festning
📍Festningsgaten 20, 9950 Vardø
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