The Adolf Gun sightseeing

Massive as ever stands a mammoth naval gun amidst crumbling terrain on a hill in Harstad. With a stunning view across the sea, the peninsula just 3km away from Harstad city centre presents you with the view of the islands of Senja, Andøya, and Grytøya. This also gives the Adolf cannon the ability to fire at sailing routes in all directions. Unused since 1957, the Adolf gun, a World War II giant surviving in Harstad in the 21st-century, carries a range of up to 56 kilometres and a barrel wide enough to fit an adult. Out of the 4 batteries at Trondenes Fortress, only Adolf Gun has been conserved in a maintained and working order.

Sightseeing at the “Adolfkanonen” is an absolute must for history buffs. After meeting at Trondenes, the guide will take you sightseeing around the basement of the gun, home to a small museum displaying shell casings and an array of instruments dating back to the Second World War, preserved in excellent conditions to remind coming generations of the horrors of war. You will then be taken up to the turret to view the massive firing mechanism itself. The cannon is living proof of German quality design, built with a “bigger the better” mentality with impressive engineering.

As a part of this historic tour, you will also visit the 21-meter long barrel. Kindly note that since the gun is located on a Norwegian Naval base, photography on the transit through the area is prohibited. Pictures can only be taken in and around the gun.