Ålesund Norway The Norwegian Fjords are at the top of the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city of Ålesund is lucky, it is located in close proximity to two of the most famous: Hurongfjord and Geirangerfjord. Spread on seven islands, Ålesund can be compared to Italian Venice. According to legend, the founder of the city was Robert I.
Unfortunately, practically nothing has survived from the old buildings of the city. The fires were a real disaster for the Norwegian cities. Repeatedly the fire destroyed wooden buildings to the ground. This was the case in Ålesund as well, and the fire of 1904 was catastrophic for the city. The exposition of the Alesund Museum tells about this tragic event and how the city was revived. After restoration, it received a unique Art Nouveau look.
We can say that Ålesund was revived by the whole world: for example, Kaiser Wilhelm II, who was attached to the amazing surrounding landscapes, helped to restore it. Nowadays, Ålesund, whose center retains the unique, holistic appearance of Art Nouveau, is the only city of its kind in Europe. In Ålesund buildings there are no sharp corners, the lines are smooth, curved, metal or glass is often used to decorate the exterior.
On a sightseeing tour of the city, tourists are told in detail about the features of this architectural style. To get to know him even better, you can visit the Art Nouveau Center and learn how this style is used in interior design. There is an ethnographic museum of Sunnmøre in the city, where more than 50 ancient houses and churches, as well as Viking boats, household items and clothes.
The main wealth of the city is its unique nature. Its originality is used for the development of tourism. Climbing a staircase of 418 steps to the top of Mount Axla, you can admire the magnificent panorama of the city and the harbor. It is pleasant to relax after a steep climb in a cozy cafe under a glass dome and taste a variety of local fish dishes.
Visit the largest aquarium in the vicinity of Ålesund. Water in its huge reservoirs comes directly from the ocean, so the fish feel at home. Here you can see in their natural environment those fish that we see on the shelves of our stores. And at one o’clock in the afternoon, a free attraction begins: a diver descends into the largest aquarium and feeds the fish swimming in it. Both children and adults are delighted.
In general, the whole history of these places is connected with fishing. During excavations in one of the caves on the island, objects were found proving that people lived here in the Stone Age. And they were fishing. And today Ålesund has its own fishing fleet. In the very center of the city, on the banks of the Brusunde Canal, there is a lively fresh fish trade.
Among the ecological excursions in Ålesund is a boat trip to the bird island of Runde or a trip to the seven islands on which the city is located. Interestingly, one of them, Ellings Island, can be reached not only by sea, but also through an underwater tunnel built in 1987. By the way, the road to the airport also goes through a tunnel under water.
From Ålesund, roads lead curious travelers to the Brixdalsbern Glacier or the famous Troll Trail.
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