LÅT CIGGEN INSPIRERA BLAND RUINERNA. En postbevarande studie om platsbruket och förfallet av Gamla Älvsborgs fästning

Abstract

The ruins of Old Älvsborgs fortress in Gothenburg is a neglected historic landmark that is being used as a social gathering place. Before it’s demolition in the 1660s the fortress Älsvborg was of great importance for the Swedish nation but fell into decay. The lack of management has over the years made the remaining ruins, tucked away between the buildings in Klippan, into a spot for partying and illegal graffiti. In this thesis the phenomenon of the perceived misuse of the ruins is analysed through the lens of a postpreservation perspective of cultural heritage. It is argued that the ruins can be understood as an in-between space, an urban void, regardless of their status as a cultural heritage and this plays a part in how the ruins have become a space for social gatherings. In connection to this it is argued that the misuse, and in relation the decay, of the ruins creates meaning even if it is unwanted. The study aims to shine new light on the usage of Old Älsvborgs fortress where previous discussions solely focuses on preservation and portrays the social use as nothing but negative. The methodology this thesis is based on contemporary archaeological observations of the ruins where graffiti, trash and other traces of human activity is analysed to get an understanding of how the place is used. The study is written in Swedish.