ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Alesund used to be a typical Norwegian coastal town with wooden houses, but due to the fire of 1904, the entire downtown area was levelled. The city was rebuilt, with a few new regulations, such as houses having a maximum height and they had to be brick houses (or concrete, but definitely not wood!). The architects used Art Nouveau style, also known as Jugend-style, which was in at the time.

The city has 40.000 inhabitants and represents the main adventure centre in the region. It is a beautiful city surrounded by high mountains and deep fjords. Trollveggen, Trollstigen, Geiranger, Runde, where more then 200 bird species have been recorded, and the Viking village of Giske are only a couple of hours travel away. The weather is very stable because of the Gulf Stream.

Alesund is the fisheries capital of Norway. The region also has strong traditions within ship technology and furniture industries. Milk and fruit are produced locally. The city has the largest fishing harbour Norway’s and one of the largest export harbours in the world for "klippfisk", i.e. split, dried and salted cod. 80 % of Norways klipfish exports are done in this city to many countries such as Portugal and Brazil.

In earlier days fish was stored in the magnificent buildings edging the city strait. Today the fish industry is located in more modern facilities outside the city and the old fish storage buildings are now offices, hotels, flats, etc.

Sukkertoppen got its name from its similarity to Rio Dejaneiro's Sugar Hill. You get a different view of the city, as well as the surrounding islands.

For those who do enjoy seafood, Alesund is paradise. Bacalao, consist of course cod, is an exotic meal, something like the "national food" of the area. With houses built straight onto the waterfront in the Inner Harbour, it is easy to imagine how people used to go fishing in their kitchens.

Kongens Gate is the old "main street" of Alesund and where most of the shopping was done earlier.  Nowadays most of the commerce has moved out of the city to an area called Moa some 10-12 km east of the city centre. The Kongens Gate is still lined with shops on both sides, and it is filled to the brim with activity during business hours on weekends. It is also the start and the end of the annual City Fire Run, an open-for-all race through the streets of Alesund in memory of the city fire in 1904.

Aksla is a small hill, rising up from the middle of the city, giving a magnificent view of the surrounding fjords. It is impossible to miss! On the way up the hill, you encounter old canons previously used to protect the city in times of war, sealed entrances to old German bunkers from WW II, resting places with beautiful views, This is probably the most photographed view of the city, and also the one you'll find on about 80% of all postcards coming out of Alesund.

The Atlantic Sea-Park, one of the largest aquariums in Northern Europe, is beautifully situated by the waterfront and provides a fascinating insight into the multitude of life beneath the waves. Take a stroll by the Sunnmøre Museum, with more than 50 old houses in beautiful surroundings and an impressive boat collection.

Back to Europe

© Copyright 2000 - 2004  Eurotravelling.net  POWERED BY wORLDTRAVELGATE.NET