Skansen Lejonet: The Lion Redoubt, Medieval Fortress, Heraldic Lion of Gothenburg
One of the 400 Experiences: To Do, To Know, To See in Gothenburg aka Göteborg (1621–2021) in Sweden
Gothenburg aka Göteborg, the second largest city in Sweden and the heartland of Scandinavia, has few medieval structures. One of the striking landmarks of Gothenburg is the Skansen Lejonet, or the Lion Redoubt.
Redoubt is a stronghold structure. In military science, redoubt is a temporary outlying fortification or the flanks of entrenchment used to secure hilltops, passes, fortifications, and such. Redoubt in permanent fortifications is a breastwork surrounded by a parapet and dominated by guns from the heavier fortifications behind it.
THE TINY FORTRESS:
Skansen Lejonet is located on the top of a hill by the Central Station in Gothenburg. One can walk from the Central Station navigating through the rail tracks and the roadways through the pedestrian pathway. The other nearest stop to the fortress is Svingeln bus- and tram-stop.
The landmark stands quite centrally in Gothenburg but during the medieval times it was on the outskirts of the town. Gothenburg celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2021.
Skansen Lejonet or the Lion Redoubt is a 17th century fortress. It was built when Sweden had to defend itself from Danish and Norwegian incursions. When the incursions took place, Swedes fought in the area, at the mouth of the River Göta River, since the early Middle Ages.
In the current location of Skansen Lejonet, in AD 1303 Sweden’s King ordered the Gullberg Fortress to be built on top of Gullbergsklippan overlooking the river bank of Göta Älv.
DEFENDING FROM DANES:
According to Statens Fastighetsverk, the National Property Board of Sweden, the fortress was subjected to repeated attacks, repairs and reinforcements. In 1612, Denmark captured the Swedish territories of the West Coast and totally destroyed the fortress. When Sweden regained this area, it needed to set up defences against new attacks.
As the man in charge of building and maintain Sweden’s defences, Erik Dahlbergh had Skansen Westgötha Lejon (today known as Skansen Lejonet) built on Gullbergsklippan in 1687. Its purpose was to protect the newly fortified city of Gothenburg and the whole of Västergötland.
ERIK JÖNSSON DAHLBERG:
Erik Jönsson Dahlberg (1625–1703) was a Swedish military officer (served as an engineer — architect and draftsman, governor general and field marshal) and represented Sweden in the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) fought in Central Europe.
Born to peasant parents but he rose to nobility with his military competences. The National Property Board of Sweden (Statens Fastighetsverk) mentions that “Dahlberg had the area around Redoubt tower surrounded by a star-shaped fortification. From this, one could shoot both far and near. Thanks to the ingenious shape, it was possible to fire in all directions, including all the walls, to defend the fort. Karl XI opened the six-storey redoubt in 1689, but its abilities were never put to the test in the battle.”
According to another expert, “Over time in Gothenburg changed from a fortified city into a centre of trade. In 1807 it was decided to demolish the fortifications, but the two redoubts, Lejonet and Kronan were spared. Skansen Lejonet served as a storehouse, first for gunpowder factory and later for Sweden’s home guard. In 1893 the redoubt was fitted with a new four metre copper lion to replace the original wooden lion that had rotted away. After 1942, Skansen Lejonet was left to deteriorate. Götiska Förbundet (the Gothic Order) highlighted the state of the redoubt in 1972, which led to a major renovation. Two years later King Carl XVI Gustaf reopened Skansen Lejonet.”
TODAY: VENUE FOR SOCIAL GATHERINGS
The fortress is a listed historical monument and part of the cultural heritage of Sweden, and managed by the National Property Board of Sweden. Today it is run by Götiska förbundet. The fortress is used for banquettes, conferences and private parties with a capacity for 90 guests.
Götiska förbundet is an organisation that wants to contribute to the good development of Sweden by emphasizing the virtues of courage, moderation, fairness, equal rights for men and women, and to protect humanity and law-abiding people, and renounces xenophobia and discrimination.
You can witness a military ceremony here, during one of the official gun salute days in Sweden. January 28: HM the King’s Name’s Day, April 30: HM the King’s Birthday, June 6: National Day, July 14: HRH the Crown Princess’s Birthday, August 8: HM the Queen’s Name’s day, and December 23: HM the Queen’s birthday.
‘EVERYDAY WE PASS BY’
Suresh Kolavali, a researcher by profession who has been living in Gothenburg for the last ten years, said, “Everyday we pass by this medieval fort to the central part of the city yet we do not visit. It is visible but we do not know how to navigate there, that made me to visit Skansen Lejonet.”
“It is impossible to miss not to look at the structure whether you travel by tram or bus or car.” -Suresh Kolavali
The lion symbol on Skansen Lejonet is the symbol of the City of Gothenburg (Göteborgs Stad): the heraldic lion.
Skansen Lejonet is one of the 400 experiences to do, to know, to see in Gothenburg aka Göteborg (1621–2021) in Sweden.
