Description of the attraction
Munkholmen is a small island with a fort that served as an impregnable prison during Danish rule, which arose on the site of Norway's oldest Benedictine monastery, built in honor of St. Lawrence around 1100. After the abandoned monastery turned into royal pastures, in 1600 a tower fortress was built on the island, fortified with 35 guns, which began to be used as a prison for political prisoners. The most famous of these was the Danish statesman - Chancellor Peder Schumacher Grieffenfeld, accused of bribery and high treason.
Munkholmen Island can be visited by getting here by boat, while admiring its ancient fortress walls from the sea. At night, the fort is illuminated by a searchlight. In summer, vacationers come here to swim in clear water under the ancient walls of the fortress. For visitors, amateur theatrical performances are periodically organized here. Thus, the island of Munkholmen turned from a prison into a recreation area.
