Construction on the fortress began 1819 to realize the so-called central defense idea adopted by the Swedish military after the Finnish and Napoleonic Wars.

The site was chosen by Baltzar von Platen in connection with the construction of the Göta Canal.

Even the gold reserves of the central bank of Sweden were to be safeguarded in the fortress in times of trouble.

The fortress is one of northern Europe's largest buildings and consists primarily of limestone from Omberg.

It was initially mostly living quarters for personnel employed at the fortress, but grew to a sizable community, in part due to Göta Canal which passes through the town.