Vestvolden

Facts

Copenhagen's largest fortification

Vestvolden, constructed in 1888-92, is the largest defence system in the rings of fortifications surrounding the city of Copenhagen. The almost 15-kilometre-long continuous defence line curves from the coast at Køge Bay inland to the marshland of Utterslev Mose. The flatlands of the countryside west of the city were exposed and a continuous barrier was required. A planned fortress and battery array in front of the Vestvolden fortifications was never realised. Vestvolden itself was taken out of service in 1920 when it was decided to dismantle the land defence line. The fortifications were left derelict until the 1960s when most of the sites were opened to the public.

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The last obstacle before the capital

Story written by Jens Ole Christensen

Time / Periode 1888 1920

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Vestvolden, the western defence line guarding Copenhagen, made international news as 'the Danish Front'. In Denmark it is often referred to as the Sommerfeldt Front" after its designer, the engineer officer, Colonel Sommerfeldt. Vestvolden, with its batteries, earthworks and ditches, presents a continuous obstacle to enemy advances. It consists of 23 sections. The ditches are divided into different pools of descending water levels. Each section is around 600 metres in length, and the earthworks are equipped with 11 cannon bunkers and four double bunkers to keep the enemy from crossing the ditches. During World War I, the fortifications contained 23 large and a number of small batteries. A special railway track was also laid behind the fortifications for a train to shuttle cannons between the batteries. "