On three islands and between two bright-blue fjords is Alesund, home to 38,000 inhabitants and one of Norway’s largest harbors for exporting dried and fresh fish. About two-thirds of its 1,040 wooden houses were destroyed by a fire in 1904. In the rush to shelter the 10,000 homeless victims, Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II, who often vacationed here, led a swift rebuilding that married German art nouveau (Jugendstil) with Viking flourishes. Winding streets are crammed with buildings topped with turrets, spires, gables, dragon heads, and curlicues. Today, it’s considered one of the few art nouveau cities in the world. Inquire at the tourism office for one of the insightful walking tours.
Ålesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the sea, and is situated at the very entrance of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Geirangerfjord. Above all Ålesund is internationally renowned for its unique architecture in the Art Nouveau style. The town was devastated by fire on a winter’s night in 1904, laying 850 houses in ashes and leaving 10,000 people homeless. The new Ålesund ‘rose from the ashes’ in the continental turn-of-the-century style with a myriad of turrets, spires and medieval ornaments.
Aksla, the town mountain, offers breathtaking views across the Art Nouveau town, islands and fjords. The Art Nouveau Centre portrays the unique position Ålesund has in Norwegian architectural history and the Atlantic Sea-Park, one of the largest aquariums in Northern Europe, is located in Ålesund. Sunnmøre Museum comprises the open-air museum featuring various types of farmhouses and boats and Ålesund’s museum gives a vivid insight into the history of the town. The saga island Giske is the birthplace of the Viking
Chieftain Rollo, who invaded and founded Normandy in 911, and thus became the forefather of William the Conqueror, sire to the English Royal Family. The picturesque fishing village of Alnes with the old lighthouse is also a popular attraction.
Ålesund is an excellent starting point for round trips to some of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions like the Geirangerfjord, the Trolls Path Road, the Runde bird sanctuary and the more remote Hjørundfjord to name but a few.
Alesund Official Tourism Web Site
Avid Cruiser Posts, Photographs and Videos Featuring Alesund.
