Hemsö fortress
Welcome, to the Cold War experience.
Opening hours 2023
We close for the summer season on August 27.
Updated opening hours
Saturdays and Sundays in September, we will be open for guided tours from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with tours starting every hour, and the last tour will be at 3:00 PM.
The restaurant will be open from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Prices:
- Adults: 160 SEK
- Youth (11-15 years old): 80 SEK
- Children: 50 SEK
Guided tours from 11.00 every half hour, last tour 16.00 every day.
The restaurant is open from 11.00 to 18.00 every day.
Prices: Adult: SEK 140, Youth 11-15 years SEK 80 Children SEK 40
About Hemsö fästning
Hemsö fästning is one of Sweden’s largest Cold War fortresses. The Cold War was a time characterised by the arms race between Soviet union and the USA, the east and the west, Sweden was between the two power blocks and the threat from the East was serious. Construction of the main fortress on Hemsö began in 1953 and it was completed four years later. The facility was intended to protect the important industries in Ådalen as well as Härnösand Harbour.
The 5000 m² fortress was blasted out of the rock and was built to withstand a direct hit from an atomic bomb, in a conflict, 320 soldiers could be accommodated underground. They had fuel, ammunition and food to hold out through three months isolation. The armaments comprised six 15,2 cannons. Each of the three twin turrets was operated by 25 men and could fire four shells a minute. The air defences comprised two separate anti-aircraft guns.
In the 1960s, the facility was expanded by the addition of a 7,5 cm rapid fore coastal battery at northern point of the island, Havsoudd. The facility was surrounded by large number fire bays, mortar emplacements and bunkers protecting from enemy forces.
Hemsö fortress was top secret and foreign citizens were banned from going ashore. Today it is an exiting visitor destination open to all. During the summer 11 June to 20 August we have guided tours every day.
Our E-mail address is, destinationhemso@gmail.com
You can call us at the following numbers, both numbers work for both Hemsö Fortress and for the Restaurant.
Christer Sefbom 004670544 13 20
Kikki Sefbom 0046703702360
You can also contact us on our Facebook page via messenger.
No pre-booking is required.
Parking: It is free, and there is space available for motorhomes and caravans as well.
You don’t need to leave your dog in the car. Come to our gatehouse, and we can take care of your dog while you go on the guided tour. We always have water available for our four-legged friends.
Tickets for the guided tour can be purchased at the entrance, which is located directly adjacent to the parking area. Prices: Adults: 140 SEK, Youth (11-15 years old): 80 SEK, Children: 40 SEK.
Please check the time on your ticket to know which tour you are booked for.
The tour starts at the large sign at the A entrance (main entrance to the facility). If you follow the road straight up from the entrance near the gate for about 70 meters, you will find the right place. Restrooms with changing tables and accessibility adaptations are located near the entrance and are well signposted.
Make sure to be present a few minutes (5 min) before your tour begins. The guide will meet you at the sign.
After the tour, you will exit near the restaurant, where your guide will assist you in finding your way.
If you need a stroller, wheelchair, walker, or transportation, don’t worry, we can arrange that as well. Just let us know at the entrance. If you plan to visit the restaurant but someone in your group is unable to walk down, don’t hesitate to inform our staff at the entrance and drive down to the restaurant. Just drive carefully as there are many children in the area.