FREDRIKSHALD (FREDERICKSHALD, FRIEDERICHSHALL), a seaport and garrison
town of Norway, in Smaalenene _amt_ (county), 85 m. by rail S. by E. of
Christiania. Pop. (1900) 11,948. It is picturesquely situated on both
banks of the Tistedal river at its outflow to the Ide fjord, surrounded
by several rocky eminences. The chief of these is occupied by the famous
fortress Fredriksten, protected on three sides by precipices, founded by
Frederick III. (1661), and mainly showing, in its present form, the
works of Frederick V. (1766) and Christian VII. (1808). Between it and
the smaller Gyldenloeve fort a monument marks the spot where Charles XII.
was shot in the trenches while besieging the town (1718). The siege,
which was then raised, is further commemorated by a monument to the
brave defence of the brothers Peter and Hans Kolbjoernsen. Fredrikshald
is close to the Swedish frontier, and had previously (1660) withstood
invasion, after which its name was changed from Halden to the present
form in 1665 in honour of Frederick III. The town was almost totally
destroyed by fire in 1759 and 1826. The castle surrendered to the
Swedish crown prince Bernadotte in 1814, and its capture was speedily
followed by the conquest of the kingdom and its union with Sweden.
Fredrikshald is one of the principal ports of the kingdom for the export
of timber. Marble of very fine quality and grain is extensively quarried
and exported for architectural ornamentation and for furniture-making.
Wood-pulp is also exported. The industries embrace granite quarries,
wood-pulp factories, and factories for sugar, tobacco, curtains,
travelling-bags, boots, &c. There are railway communications with
Gothenburg and all parts of Sweden and regular coastal and steamer
services.
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