Archaeologists have uncovered a hidden route from the time of Charles XII, which played a pivotal role in Sweden's military history. This land path was utilized during the Great Northern War for the covert transportation of warships in 1718, according to Heritage Daily.
The secret route, known as Galervägen, was crucial in King Charles XII's plan to outsmart his enemies. It enabled the movement of twelve massive military galleys, each weighing up to 30 tons, across a 25-kilometer stretch of land between Strömstad and Iddefjorden. These efforts were aimed at a surprise naval attack on the fortress of Fredriksten.
Recent archaeological research conducted by the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) in collaboration with the Bohuslän Museum and the Vienna Institute of Archaeological Sciences (VIAS) revealed traces of this secret road near Blomsholmen in Bohuslän, Sweden.
This discovery was made possible through the testing of the advanced AutoMIRA system, a new tool for ground-penetrating radar studies. The site was chosen due to its rich cultural history, including the ship settlement of Grönnehög, burial mounds, and stone circles.
Using ground-penetrating radar, researchers identified linear structures over 160 meters long, believed to be remnants of wooden tracks laid for transporting heavy galleys.
“This area provides a remarkable glimpse into the historical landscape, but the discovery of the secret historical route exceeded all our expectations,” said project lead archaeologist Erich Nau.
Scientists note that the findings not only confirm the existence of the king's secret path but also demonstrate Sweden's strategic ingenuity during a critical moment in history.