Does Stockholm Have a Starfort?

[Xanadu]

Most cities around the world either have a starfort or are built around one. This made me wonder if Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, also had a starfort. Despite visiting Stockholm many times, I had never noticed a starfort in the city. This prompted me to dig deeper into the historical maps and records to uncover any hidden traces.

Known Starforts in Sweden​

Sweden boasts several well-known starforts, such as:

• Bohus Fortress, Kungälv
• Castle Elfsborg, Göteborg
• Drottningskärs Kastell
• Landskrona Citadel
• Varberg Fortress

See images below:

However, Stockholm doesn't appear on this list. But does that mean it never had one?

Investigating Historical Maps​

I started by examining old maps of Stockholm, hoping to spot any starfort formations. Although I didn't find any evidence of a starfort in the old town—the historical center of Stockholm—I discovered something intriguing in a map from 1702 by Andreas Wijkman.
This map showed a starfort formation near the city center. The orientation of the map is turned with north to the left.

This finding was corroborated by subsequent maps:

• 1740 map by Matthäus Seutters
• 
• 1805 map by Akrel
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• Plan von Stockholm 1844 - Joseph Meyer, ETH Zürich
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• 1818 map: By this time, only a small part of the starfort was visible.
• 

Interestingly, maps from 1817 and 1861 showed no trace of the starfort.
1817

1861

This absence could imply that the maps had been censored or that the remains of the starfort had finally been erased from the surface.

The Present-Day Location​

Today's maps reveal no signs of a starfort in the same area. Instead, there is a forest with rocky ground and large granite formations where the starfort’s outer wall might have been.

Here’s a photo of the wooded area and rock formations at the edge of the forest:

The Kaknäs Tower​

Between 1963 and 1967, a large telecommunications tower, the Kaknäs Tower (Swedish: Kaknästornet), was constructed on the spot where the starfort’s center would have been. This tower, a significant hub for Swedish television, radio, and satellite broadcasts, stands at 155 meters (509 feet), or 170 meters (560 feet) with the top antenna included.
The tower is named after the ancient name of the area, Kaknäs. Interestingly, the top of the tower has an octagonal shape, reminiscent of a starfort.

This could be a deliberate nod to the historical starfort that once stood there, for those in the know.

Security Concerns​

An interesting quote from Wikipedia reveals more about the tower:

"The tower used to be open to the public, with an information centre and gift shop, indoor and outdoor observation decks as well as a restaurant, but has now been permanently closed to the public since 2018 on the grounds that the security repairs would have become too expensive. It was later revealed that the real cause is the threat of foreign intelligence. The fear is that a foreign power would seek to take control of important communication lines and systems of society. According to Swedish television, the Swedish security police have stated in a report in 2017 that the number of foreign intelligence companies has increased, and the tower will be closed due to the report. Since December 2019, it is forbidden to photograph, copy, measure or describe the tower without permission."

I recall visiting the tower in the past going inside and viewing the magnificent panorama from the top. Here are more images of the tower and its surroundings:

Conclusion​

While there is no visible starfort in Stockholm today, historical maps suggest that a starfort once existed near the city center. The construction of the Kaknäs Tower on this site might be a secret society reminder of the starfort's presence, preserving a piece of Stockholm's hidden history. So, if you ever visit Stockholm, remember the starfort that once watched the city, now replaced by the towering presence of Kaknästornet and maybe do some digging in its vicinity.