Art Nouveau Ålesund

August 20, 2019

High above the fjords of Norway sits the ancient fishing port of Ålesund. Here the city is built on the tops of mountains, strung like little islands, along submerged ice-age carved mountains. For a great view of the island, climbers hike steps to a look-out restaurant.
In the middle of the night, in January 1904, a fire spread so quickly through the town that residents were homeless in their nightclothes. They chose to rebuild on the spot. Since the architectural fashion of the time in Europe was Art Nouveau, the entire town was built in the flamboyant, colorful mode.

Walk the streets of Alesund, the Art Nouveau Norwegian city, rebuilt in 1904 after the devastating fire
Alesund Harbor
Alesund Town Square on a sunny day

Residents enjoy the look of their little town. On any sunny day they can be seen enjoying cafes on the historic fishing docks, not far from the current commercial and cruise pier. A monument to the herring fishing industry, which brought wealth to Ålesund, joins locals relaxing on the town square. The modern fishing fleet is still the major employer.

Monument to packing herring in Alesund at the inner harbor
Alesund, the Art Nouveau city of Norway
Alesund city view from the top of the mountain

Enjoy all the stories of Norway in Cruise through History, Itinerary XII, forthcoming.

If you want to learn more about Sherry Hutt’s adventures check out one of her books on Amazon.com

See more of Sherry’s pictures on Instagram @sherry_hutt



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