Boden Fortress is a modern fortress consisting of several major and minor forts and fortifications surrounding the city of Boden, Norrbotten, in northern Sweden. While the main forts were finished in 1908, many of the supporting fortifications were not finished until the start of the First World War. Improvements were also continuously made during, and between, both World Wars. The last fort of the defense complex was decommissioned 31 December 1998. It was originally intended to stop or delay attacks from the east or coastal assaults, which at the time of construction meant Russian attacks launched from Finland. It was primarily the expansion of the railway net in Norrland that led to the increased strategical value of northern Sweden and the construction of the fortress. Boden Fortress occupies an important place in Swedish military architecture, and has also attracted international attention. Summer 1998 saw large parts of the fortress become a national monument and six months later it was decommissioned as a defensive outpost.
