vakterna

Vakterna is the plural form of the Swedish noun vakt, meaning guard or watch. In everyday Swedish it refers to people or groups assigned to protect a person, a building, or a location, and to the duties they perform, such as patrolling, monitoring access, and responding to alarms. The term is used for both professional security staff and informal watch roles.

Historically, vakterna played a central role in town and castle security. In medieval and early modern Sweden, towns maintained organized guards that patrolled streets, protected gates, and enforced municipal regulations. Nattvakten, the night watch, was a typical duty, often organized in shifts and linked to town fortifications or city walls. In many contexts vakterna were a quasi-military enforcement body, bridging civilian authority and the military.

In contemporary Swedish usage, vakterna commonly denote security personnel hired by private companies or institutions, as well as official guards at government buildings or royal residences. In ceremonial contexts, the term may appear in reference to formal guard units or routine changing-of-the-guard events. The responsibilities typically include patrol rounds, access control, CCTV monitoring, and coordination with police or emergency services.

Etymology: vakterna derives from vakt, meaning a watch or guard, with the definite plural suffix -erna. The word reflects the broad concept of guarding rather than a specific organizational entity.