Halmstad fästning & Norre Port

There used to be a fortress guarding the entire city center of Halmstad. Construction of the fortress is said to have begun in 1598, under the direction of the Dutch builder Hans von Steenwinckel. The fortress consisted of high ramparts surrounded by stone walls. The pointed corners are called bastions and housed the fortress' artillery. There were four gates in the fortress: Norre Port, Väster Port, Söder Port and Öster Port (or North Port, East Port, South Port and West Port.) Even today, Norre Port stands tall and stately – the only gate still standing. Two tall ramparts for long-range artillery were located on the north and northwest side of the fortress. These are what are called ‘Katts’ or cats. The Katts are believed to have been built up from the earth that was dug up during the construction of the moat. Even today you can see Västre Katt at the intersection Bryggaregatan / Hantverksgatan and parts of Norre Katt and Norre Port by its namesake, Norre Katts park. You can also see the old built-in cannon rooms along Charles XI's road. At Klammerdammsgatan there is an open fortified cannon emplacement and at Kyrkogatan there is one you can see from the outside.