Author(s)

I. ANDERSSON & K.-M. SVÄRD

Abstract

On the northern part of Gotland there are good examples of former defence sites that have faced different destinies. Often they were built for one purpose and then used for another. When abandoned, some were sold out to private investors while others stayed in government possession. The island of Enholmen has been in military use on and off from the 17th century until the beginning of the 21st century. The island has since been turned into a heritage site and a tourist attraction. The former training area Bungenäs was sold to a government-owned company. It was later resold to a private investor who has developed it into a residential area, with many of the bunkers being integrated with the new building. In 1885, during the Crimean War, the military built three fortifications in Fårö Strait. After being abandoned for 100 years one of the batteries was turned into a hotel in 2004. The Klintsbrovik chalk quarry was turned into a storage facility for sea mines during World War II. In 2012 a community planning event was held resulting in a master plan. The Swedish Fortifications Agency plan to dispose of the property after the plan is in place. The private sector has been very effective in transforming former fortifications. The government has turned some sites into heritage and tourist sites. There are good examples of both in northern Gotland. Klintsbrovik will be the first case where the government via a master plan turns a former fortification into civilian use.

Keywords

Bungenäs, Coastal artillery, Crimean war, Enholmen, Fårö, Gotland, Karlsvärd, Klintsbrovik