Varberg Fortress was built 1287-1300 by count Jacob Nielsen as protection against his Danish king, who had declared him an outlaw after the murder of king Eric V of Denmark. The north and south ranges and a connecting wall were constructed at this time. The building was extended to become a castle in the 14th century, when residents included Magnus Eriksson, King of Sweden and Norway. King Christian IV of Denmark was another resident. The fortress became Swedish after the Treaty of Brömsebro in 1645. It was used as a military installation until 1830. It was used as a prison from the end of the 17th Century until 1931 and it is currently used as a museum, bed and breakfast as well as private accommodation. The moat of the fortress is said to be inhabited by a small lake monster. In August 2006, a couple of witnesses claim to have seen the monster emerge from the dark water and devour a duck. The creature is described as brown, furless and with a 40 cm long tail.
