Travel to Hamar - Norway - Europe - Culture

Many names are used to describe Hamar such as a railway and school town, market town and cultural town. It is also a commercial, industrial, and winter sports centre. In the summer the city offers the chance for activities like fishing, walks, swimming and boating. Accommodation includes hotels and camping grounds.

Don’t miss to visit the ruins of Hamar Cathedral Priory, which was built here in 1866 in connection with the foundation of the Episcopal. The architecture is Romanesque, with later additions in the Gothic style.

Hedmark Museum and Domkirkeodden – archaeological museum with artefacts from the Iron Age, Viking era and Middle Ages. The glass superstructure on the ruins of the previous Hamar cathedral is one of the most unusual museum buildings in Europe. You will find one of the country’s largest herb gardens at Domkirkeodden, with approximately 350 types of biologically grown herbs.

Kirsten Flagstad, who was born here, will primarily be remembered as a magnificent artist and legendary opera singer. The collection of recordings in the Kirsten Flagstad museum is among the biggest in the world and covers her whole career from her first recordings in 1914-15. It includes not only commercial releases, but also a large number of test recordings, pirate recordings, and private recordings on tape, record and cassette - in all, almost 800 items!

As well as being Hedmarks administrative centre, there is regional court and a bishopric. Hamar also acts as a shopping centre for the surrounding area of ca 80.000 inhabitants. At the same time it retains a small town charm and innocence as well as access to nature and wilderness.

Hamar is inextricably liked with Mjøsa. The kilometre long beach path to Domkirkeodden is the most popular walk that Hamar offers and the most popular outdoor area, worth a visit for itself alone. Its gentle grassy slopes are ideal for games and recreation, and it has long curving beaches for sun-worshippers and bathers. The path leads to Sjøormskjæret at Domkirkeodden where 450 years ago Mjøsas first and last monster was stranded!

You can complete the evening at one of the over 40 cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Relative to inhabitants this makes Hamar one of the best provided for places in Norway.

As you explore Hamar streets it is strange to think that two thirds of the local area is wood, marsh and hillsides stretching as far as the eye can see. Local myths talk about large trolls in the disguise of capercaille birds living in the deepest and darkest forest. Nobody has seen them but on moonlight nights the beat of their wings can be heard.

In summer, the “Mjψsa’s White Swan” – the steamboat “Skibladner” calls at Hamar. “Mjψsa’s White Swan” is Norway’s oldest vessel in operation.

The Viking Ship and Hamar Olympia Hall is the Arena for speed skating during the Winter Olympics in 1994.