This bleak 13th century fortress is where one of my Sàmi ancestors was banished in the 1820s for “fighting.” What kind of fight? With whom? Why? The most important details are lost to history. What we know is that Swedish judge sentenced him to a year in prison with four additional months “for disrespect.”
When released, my ancestor changed his Sàmi surname to a Swedish one, helping to mitigate any negative effects on his future children and their offspring. It worked so well that countless descendants have never heard of him or his previous name, and have no idea of their Sàmi roots.
The Varberg fortress is now a museum and bed and breakfast.