The invention relates to a surge arrester having at least one varistor block; two end fittings; one reinforcing element which holds the varistor block under tension at the end fittings and at least one anchoring element, which holds the reinforcing element in a hole through at least one of the end fittings. The reinforcing element is preferable a wedge which splits the reinforcing element and braces with the outer walls of the through-hole. Alternatively, two or more glass-fiber-reinforced reinforcing elements are held in a through-hole, and a wedge between these reinforcing elements ensures that the reinforcing elements are held with a force fit in the end fitting in the area of the through-hole.