Älvsborg, now generally known as Old Älvsborg or Älvsborg Castle to distinguish it from the later New Älvsborg and Älvsborg Fortress, was a medieval castle situated on the rocky outcrop known as Klippan, on the south bank of the Göta Älv river within the urban area of the modern city of Gothenburg.
It was demolished in the late seventeenth century, but some of its ruins are still visible today, close to the southern pylon of the Älvsborg Bridge.
"Elfsborg" as it appears in Erik Dahlbergh's Suecia antiqua et hodierna, seventeenth century.
Prince Christian's assault on Älvsborg, 1502. Drawing by Paul Dolnstein, a landsknecht mercenary in Danish service.
The capture of Älvsborg by Frederick II of Denmark, 1563
The Toppsockerfabrik, built on the outcrop Klippan overlooking the Göta Älv.
New Älvsborg, so-called to distinguish it from the earlier fortress at Old Älvsborg, is a sea fort on the island of Kyrkogårdsholmen within the urban area of modern Gothenburg, Sweden. Situated near the mouth of the Göta River, it protected what was at the time of its construction Sweden's only access to the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Construction began in 1653, and the fortress remained in service until 1869, though it only saw significant action in one conflict, the Great Northern War.
New Älvsborg from the west, with Gothenburg in the background.
Drawing from 1811 showing the fortress New Älvsborg.
Elfsburgum Novum, as seen from Stora Aspholmen in Erik Dahlbergh's Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna.
Tordenskjold's squadron sailing past Nya Älvsborg on the morning of 3 May 1717 after the repulse of his night attack on Nya Varvet. Painting by Jacob Hägg, Gothenburg Maritime Museum
