Fästning

Fästning is a Swedish term for a fortress or fortification—a defensive structure designed to resist attack and protect a territory. It can refer to a castle, a fortified town, or a standalone defensive work that houses troops, stores supplies, and controls access.

Throughout history, fästningar have ranged from small outposts to large citadels. In medieval and early modern Europe, fortifications protected borders, coasts, and garrisons. The advent of gunpowder led to changes in design, with thicker walls, angled bastions, and improved artillery positions.

Typical features include thick stone or brick walls, towers, gatehouses, battlements, moats or ditch systems, ramparts, and positions for artillery. Some are built on hills or within natural terrain advantages. The term covers both castles and dedicated military forts.

Functions include defense during sieges, control of supply lines and movement, protection of inhabitants and stores, and signaling political power. Fortifications were often part of wider strategic networks and border defense.

In modern times, many fästningar survive as museums or cultural heritage sites. They are studied for military architecture and history, and some remain under state protection or in military use in limited forms.

Etymology: the word fästning derives from fästa, meaning to fasten or secure, reflecting the purpose of securing a location against attack.