City of Islands

Alesund, Norway is a city of seven islands laced by canals and narrow streets. This little town on the west coast of Norway is surrounded by blue waters, imposing fjords and rugged mountains. Most inhabitants are fishermen and Alesund is famous for its fresh and delicious seafood especially, cooked klipfish, dried salted cod and fried salmon.
Our journey began at the beautiful Neo-Gothic Ålesund Church, rebuilt after the 1904 fire. We took a short walk through its cemetery, where we encountered artistic and unique headstones. As someone interested in genealogy, I found the markers particularly fascinating. They featured distinctive elements such as lanterns, stone bird decorations, and flowers brightening the grounds.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of the day was the visit to the open air museum where we could learn about the region's maritime history and traditional Norwegian buildings. The Sunnmøre Museum boasted an impressive collection of traditional Norwegian watercraft, from small fishing boats to larger vessels. A standout exhibit was the full-scale replica of the Kvalsund ship, a Viking-era vessel unearthed in a local bog. The display featured various coastal boats typical of Norway's fjords and shoreline. As we explored the exhibits, Jeff stood beside many of the boats, providing a sense of scale that helped us appreciate their true dimensions. Historical photographs displayed alongside the vessels showed these craft in their working days, bringing the exhibits to life and allowing us to imagine them cutting through the Norwegian waters. Perhaps most fascinating were the images documenting the excavation process of some boats from a nearby peat bog.

The open air museum also featured several traditional Norwegian buildings which were interesting with their sod laden roofs, sparse living quarters and beautiful surroundings:

With its stunning Art Nouveau architecture, rich maritime heritage, and breathtaking coastal scenery, Ålesund was a perfect example of Norwegian resilience and beauty, offering a unique blend of historical charm and modern coastal living that captured the essence of Norway's seafaring culture.