Wish You Were Here In Alesund

OVERVIEW

Wish you were here in Ålesund just after 1904, when the smell of fresh stone and new plans filled a city determined to rise again. Discover how Ålesund recovered from a devastating fire in 1904, and embark on a walking adventure in the heart of that rebuilt city, as you see key buildings that were constructed afterwards that changed the face of the city. The blaze destroyed nearly every wooden structure in Ålesund so the city rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style that was prevalent in the early 20th century. The stone Ålesund Church is a noteworthy example, especially its stained-glass windows, some of which German Kaiser Wilhelm II donated as he frequently visited the city before the fire and was horrified by its destruction. You will see plenty of other highly ornamental Art Nouveau buildings in the heart of the city, which as a result looks unlike any other Norwegian town. The cobblestoned, pedestrian-only street of Kongens Gate features one outstanding Art Nouveau landmark after another with details that make you wish you were here in the Viking era as well, when myths and seafaring stories first inspired these motifs. The experience then brings you to Byparken at the bottom of Aksla, a peaceful green space where you can pause, look up at the hillside and out toward the town, and reflect on Ålesund’s transformation—time travel for the soul, right where the city’s rebirth meets the landscape that surrounds it.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Step into Ålesund’s Art Nouveau rebirth and walk streets that give the city its unique look.
• Discover how the 1904 fire reshaped Alesund and sparked its unique Art Nouveau identity.
• Feel the echoes of the people who rebuilt the city as you wander past ornate façades and cobblestoned streets.
• Pause in Byparken at the bottom of Aksla and enjoy the greenery, hillside backdrop and town views—a gentle moment of time travel for the soul.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.