Geography A city of fjords contrasted with the rise of the Sunnmøre Alps, with architecture which may best be called a spectacle, Aelesund is so seemingly out of place here on these tiny islands where gargoyles leer down amid towers and turrets and the spires of the city jut up gloriously into a sky held up by mountain peaks.
Along the west coast of Norway, south of Trondheim and northwest of Olso lies the town of Aelesund on 3 islands and half of a fourth in the Sunnmøre region of Norway, where the glaciers have carved out the fjords over the many millennia. This smallish fishing city has a population of 40,000 spread out over 98 square kilometres, and accounts for roughly a third of the population in the region. And although there have been settlements here for some 9,000 years, the town of Aelesund is relatively young, as it was founded in 1848. After a disastrous fire in 1904 destroyed many of the town’s houses, the city was rebuilt in 1907 (thanks in part to Kaiser Wilhelm II) and young Norwegian Architects trained in Germany remade the city in the Art Nouveau style. The Sunnmøre Alps have a height of 1700 metres above sea level, making for perfect wintry skiing during the long Norwegian season.
airBaltic brings your flight to Aelesund Airport Vigra, from which flights to Oslo and other major cities in Norway may be had. Languages While the official language of Norway is Norwegian, Aelesund has its own dialect, known as Sunnmøre Norwegian, and is slightly different from the dialects of Olso and Bergen. A city-break in Aelesund shouldn’t cause any communication difficulties, as nearly everyone speaks English. You may also hear German, at least in the tourist areas. See and Do The that fjords carve up the mountains are perhaps the most stunning attraction of the region and king among is Geirangerfjord, seconded by the spectacular Hjørundfjord. In addition to the Alps nearby, the landscape is ideal for mountain climbing and hiking, or simply enjoying the unbelievable views. Exploring the architecture in the city is impossible not to do, and travellers are warned of a probable neck pain from staring upwards. Stop in at the Art Nouvea Centre, housed in a refurbished chemist’s shop on two levels, for detailed history of the style or join a guided walking tour through the city which ends up at Aalesunds Museum with its collection of ships, including a famous little lifeboat. Stop by the Fisheries Museum in one of the city’s still standing pre-fire warehouses for a broad history of the profession. At the edge of the island of Godøy stands the lighthouse Alnes overlooking the wild waters of the ocean. Now a museum, it offers spirited guided tours in the summer months and the village of Alnes is endearing in its own right. Another popular destination is the little rock of Runde, or “bird island” where nesting birds represent over 220 species, chief among them a quirky population of Puffins.
If birds aren’t your thing, get tickets to the Atlantic Sea Park, one of the largest in Scandinavia and home to an impressive range of underwater life and a showy feeding hour.
Climb up the steps to the top of Mt. Aksla over the city, for tremendous views beyond the islands and the fjords, with the Alps and Atlantic hugging you in. One can also opt to drive out to Trollstigen (or Troll’s Ladder) a twisting devil of a road into the mountains that reward the adventurous driver with some dramatic views well worth the danger (if the road’s not closed, that is.) |
