Stevnsfort

Facts

Denmark's last bastion

Stevnsfort (Fort Stevns) was built as part of the extensions to the Danish coast defences in the earliest phase of the Cold War. This coast-defence fort was built near the famous cliff, Stevns klint, in the years 1951-1954. Its purpose was to block the southern seaward approach to the Sound and Køge Bay, and to protect the minefields in the same area. Most of the fort is deep underground. It was in active service from 1953 until 1981, after which it remained in reserve for a number of years. From 1984 and for some years afterwards, the fort was equipped with HAWK anti-aircraft missiles and served as surveillance station until 1999. In 2008 it reopened as the Danish Cold War Museum.

Public place

Selected entry

Hitler's cannons in Danish defence

Story written by Jens Ole Christensen

Time / Periode 1951 2009

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Stevnsfort's main armament consisted of four German 15 cm guns from World War II. They were originally installed in two armoured turrets, each with two guns. The gun turrets were originally reserve armaments for German Gneisenau-class battle cruisers. During the Occupation, the Germans installed the two turrets on the Danish island of Fanø as defence against the British. In 1945, they were acquired by Danish Navy and in 1951-1952 were moved to Stevnsfort. The fort provided nuclear-protection, and the slight air overpressure in the underground corridors protected against poison gas. The 250 personnel could survive underground for up to three months. After the end of the Cold War, the attack plans of the various parties were released. They revealed that if Warsaw-Pact troops had invaded Denmark, they would have landed at Stevns.