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Welcome to a unique military history museum in Stockholm County!

Embark on an exhilarating journey through time at our captivating main exhibition, revealing the epic tale of the fortress spanning 500 years of Swedish military history. In the reception area, you have the opportunity to borrow booklets in English or German. Additionally, as you move between the museum halls, you will find concise English summaries of each room’s content displayed in the archways.

On the second level of the museum, explore the “Animals at War” exhibition. Discover the unexpected heroes who had no choice! Encounter the bear who enlisted, pigeons that saved soldiers, dogs on dangerous missions, seals on submarine hunts, heroic horses, spying cats, and much more. English translations are available in booklets that you can borrow within the exhibition room. Don’t miss the exhibition dedicated to the Ytterby mine, where a remarkable nine elements have been discovered over the years. English information boards provide insightful details on this subject.

Descend to the museum’s basement, where you can immerse yourself in the life of the fortress in the 1890s. Experience this captivating era firsthand, with English translations available for borrowing at the beginning of the exhibition.

Currently, the museum is closed for the season, but if you’re interested in visiting as a group, we happily accommodate year-round bookings. This is an ideal option for company groups or enjoyable and educational outings with friends and family. For more information, please contact us at 08-1200 4870.

We hope you have a memorable and enriching experience exploring our diverse exhibitions!

 

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The Historic Legacy of Vaxholm Fortress

The history of Vaxholm Fortress begins early in the 16th century, with the construction of a blockhouse on Vaxholm by Regent Svante Nilsson Sture. King Gustav Vasa instructed the governor of Stockholm to replace the blockhouse with a stone tower and to fill the narrow passage of Oxdjupet with rocks. This work was completed in 1839.

A Danish attack was repelled in 1612, and in 1719 the Russians were prevented from reaching Stockholm. In the 1870s, the defensive emphasis shifted from Vaxholm Fortress to the strait Oxdjupet. In 1876, Oxdjupet was opened to traffic and a new fort, Oscar-Fredriksborg, was built. Since the turn of the century, the forces defending the archipelago have moved their positions outwards, ultimately reaching the outermost perimeter of the Stockholm archipelago.

Vaxholm Fortress Museum

The museum opened in 1947 at Oscar-Fredriksborg Fort and moved to Vaxholm Citadel in 1964. In 2003, it was restored. The museum’s indoor department occupies thirty beautiful rooms and halls on both floors of the west section. Visitors can see the fortress as it was in 1854 and enter one of the Citadel’s bombproof vaults to see how things were during the Crimean War. In other settings, you can visit the Commandant, follow the issuing of orders in a mine battery, or visit a World War II coastal defense artillery post.

Below, you can watch a movie about the Vaxholm Fortress Museum. It contains information about how to get to the location, facilities on the island during high season, and images from the museum. The boat transport in this film is replaced by a cable ferry during 2023.