Tellevik Fort

Tellevik Fort is the remains of a German coastal artillery battery from the Second World War, located near Bergen in the Hordaland area of western Norway. It formed part of the defensive system known as Festung Bergen, and it is one of those places where the story of the occupation of Norway can still be read directly in the landscape.

What is Tellevik Fort?

The fort was one of the lighter artillery positions built to cover approaches to Bergen from the water. Bergen was among the most important ports on the Norwegian west coast, and the occupiers wanted to control every sea route leading to it. Tellevik was not a giant fortress with heavy naval guns; it was a more modest battery that complemented the wider network of defences around the city.

Its construction is dated to 1940, the first year of the German occupation. The German Wehrmacht operated it until 1945, after which it passed to the Norwegian Armed Forces.

What can you see on site?

The battery was built around two howitzers placed in open-topped positions, with no concrete roof above them. These positions take the form of round concrete firing platforms, and they are still visible today. A concrete trench links the platforms with the battery's command post, which helps visitors picture how the crews worked and moved between the different parts of the position.

There is also a monument on the former battery grounds dedicated to Norwegian seamen killed by sea mines that the Germans laid to protect the approaches to Bergen. This gives the site a double character: it is both a relic of military infrastructure and a place of remembrance for those who died in the war at sea.

Why visit?

Tellevik Fort suits anyone interested in World War II history, coastal fortifications, or the occupation of Norway. It is less well known than the larger forts around Bergen, so a visit tends to be quieter and offers a look at the less spectacular, everyday side of the German coastal defences.

Many wartime remains in Norway are now simply concrete structures softened by vegetation, yet that is exactly what lets you grasp the scale of the undertaking. According to travel guides, the battery was built using forced labour by Soviet prisoners of war, which adds a sobering historical context worth keeping in mind as you look at the concrete remains.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Tellevik Fort?

Near Bergen in Hordaland, western Norway, overlooking waters that lead to the city. The coordinates are roughly 60.5195 N, 5.2742 E.

Which defensive system did it belong to?

It was part of Festung Bergen, the German network of fortifications protecting the city and its port.

What weapons did the battery have?

Two howitzers on open, round concrete firing positions. Both platforms can still be seen today.

Who built it?

The Germans, during the occupation of Norway. Travel guides say Soviet prisoners of war were used as forced labour.

What happened to the fort after the war?

In 1945 it came under the control of the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Is there a memorial on site?

Yes. A monument stands on the battery grounds for Norwegian seamen killed by German-laid sea mines.