Welcome to Älvsborg Fortress – the gateway to Gothenburg and one of Sweden’s most important coastal defenses throughout history. With this audio guide, you’ll step inside the walls of a place shaped by war, peace negotiations, and prison life.

Discover how the fortress was built to protect the mouth of the Göta River, and hear the stories of repeated conflicts with Denmark – including the infamous surrender that cost Sweden dearly, still remembered today as the “Ransom of Älvsborg.”

Today, the island is a peaceful site rich in history, with preserved buildings, moats, and sweeping views of the harbor entrance. Here, echoes of the past linger – in tales of soldiers, captives, and everyday life in a place once ruled by the sound of cannon fire.