photo credit: Federisco

Attractions

Ålesund & Sunnmøre has a rich and varied assortment of natural and cultural attractions. The great variety of sights and the short distances between them allows you to choose just the kind of holiday experience you are looking for. Those of you with a particular interest, be it in coastal or fjord culture, town history, Viking history, fisheries, language, architecture and design, or flora and fauna, are sure to find the ideal spot to expand your knowledge. Museums and experience centres often put on theme exhibitions for limited periods, or organise activity days in which the public can take an active part.

photo credit: Anders Finn

Restaurants

Ålesund & Sunnmøre has a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, pubs and nightclubs. Restaurants have both Norwegian and international dishes on the menu, with ingredients taken from Nature’s own larder! You will find the greatest choice in Ålesund, which has an abundance of gourmet restaurants and traditional cafés. Ålesund is also home to the annual Norwegian Food Festival with its bustling crowds and enthusiasm for food. You can also allow yourself to be surprised by the culinary experiences and long pleasant evenings on offer in lovely rural towns like Ulsteinvik, Fosnavåg or Volda and roadside locations in the Sunnmøre district. You might well find your favourite restaurant there.

photo credit: wOLD

Useful information

Ålesund & Sunnmøre comprises 13 municipalities offering a number of services such as libraries, cinemas, car parks and guest marinas. In the towns, the cinemas are on a par with the rest of Western Europe and they show films in their original languages, with Norwegian subtitles. If you are looking for tourist information offices, travel agents or need to hire a guide with a good command of languages, you will find the information here. If you should require the services of a doctor, dentist or a pharmacy, you will also find them listed here.

For more in depth information about Ålesund please visit: Visitalesund.com

Welcome to Kristiansand, the administrative, business and cultural capital of South Norway! Definitely a modern city with a pronounced renaissance profile. Right in the middle of what international media have named “the coolest riviera”.
After King Christian established the city in 1641, it gradually developed into the administrative centre of the region. The present population of 78.000 makes Kristiansand Norway’s fifth largest city.

Centrally located on the South coast of Norway, Kristiansand offers convenient domestic as well as international travel and transportation – by air, sea, rail and road.

In addition to a substantial service sector, local business spans from advanced process industry to leading suppliers of offshore technology. With a strong link to the Agder University College, Kristiansand has one of Norway’s most competent IT and telecommunications clusters.

Music plays a key role on the city’s cultural stage, with the Quart Festival and the International Church Music Festival as the most prominent annual events.

Images – Click to enlarge

Kristiansand – city full of energy

Kristiansand Municipality has made a brochure in English about Kristiansand. The purpose of the brochure is to present Kristiansand to the international business community and to potential jobseekers abroad.

Administrative centre with strong industrial traditions

photo credit: SandShoes

Many of Kristiansand’s around 36.000 work places are related to the city’s function as the regional centre and the county capital of Vest-Agder. Public and social services, along with education are the most employment sectors, with trading, hotels and restaurants as runners-up. Major banks and international management consultants make important contributions to the development of local enterprises.
Access to vast hydro-electrical resources in southwest Norway was important for the establishment of process industry in Kristiansand. Norwegian Elkem and Canadian Falconbridge were among the pioneers, and both companies remain key elements in the local industry.

Deeply rooted in a mechanical industry based on strong maritime traditions, creative engineers have developed companies such as Hydralift and Maritime Hydraulics into world leaders within advanced offshore oil and gas technology. Although recently acquired by international enterprises National Oilwell and Aker Kværner, the know-how built up in and around these corporations still play important roles in the business life of Kristiansand.

With strong ties to the advanced research and development faculty of the Agder University College, the region constitutes one of the country’s strongest clusters within information technology and telecommunications.

Internationally oriented University (UiA)

photo credit: Andreas Solberg

Agder University (UiA) has 8,000 students and 840 teaching and administrative staff. Thus it is one of the largest University in Norway. Study programmes include Business and Economics, Engineering and Technology, the Humanities, Mathematics, Nursing, Teacher Education, as well as Fine Arts.

There is heavy emphasis on international student exchanges through European and national co-operation programmes and bilateral agreements. Students are encouraged to continue their studies abroad. Either by taking an integrated part of their study programme with Socrates / Nordplus partners in Europe, with partners in the Unites States, Australia and Asia, or through post-graduate studies abroad.

Additional key university level educational institutions in Kristiansand offer studies within journalism (Mediehøgskolen) and business administration (BI Norwegian School of Management).

Effective city administration

Like other Norwegian municipalities, the city of Kristiansand is responsible for day care facilities, child welfare, and primary and lower secondary schools. In addition to public libraries, primary health care, financial support for welfare clients, care for the elderly and disabled. Its responsibilities also include the fire department, the harbour, municipal roads, water supply, sewerage, garbage collection and disposal, as well as organisation of land use.

photo credit: watz

To carry out these tasks the city of Kristiansand employs approximately 5,500 people – 4,200 man-years, mainly within the health and educational sectors.

The chief administrative officer (the rådmann) manages the city administration. In addition to his management responsibilities, the rådmann is also responsible for preparation of the budget and other matters to be approved by the city council.

The 2004 budget totals NOK 2.8 billion (EUR 326 million), which includes operations as well as investments.
Most Norwegian municipalities have a hard time balancing their budgets, and Kristiansand is no exception. However, through a continuous improvement process over a number of years politicians and the administration have achieved ambitious cost reduction goals.

In two benchmarking studies for good municipal governance, Kristiansand made considerable progress from 1999 to 2002. The studies were conducted according to an adapted version of the Bertelsmann criteria. This method portrays the municipality as a service provider (ideally) under democratic control, its learning capacity, and includes an evaluation of the municipality as a workplace.

Kristiansand achieved its best scores in the field of co-operation between politics and administration. However, results are almost equally good with regard to democratic control, decentralisation and delegation, controlling and reporting, innovation policy, as well as citizen and customer orientation.

The studies were carried out in co-operation with Kristiansand’s Nordic twin towns: Kerava (Finland) Trollhättan (Sweden), Hjørring (Denmark) and Rekjanesbær (Iceland).

Busy cultural scene

The downtown area of Kristiansand is an interesting place to spend an evening out. A number of art galleries and the impressive regional museum Sørlandets Kunstmuseum present varied contemporary art. The Night Gallery presents experimental open-air video art. Students and intellectuals give life to numerous cafés and pubs that cater to most international tastes.

photo credit: Earphones

Regional institutions such as the Agder Teater, Kristiansand Symfoniforkester as well as the Sørlandet kunstmuseum are all based in Kristiansand. The city’s own cultural activities include a public library, a natural museum and a botanical garden, cinemas, as well as activity centres for children and youngsters. The Quart Festival and the International Church Music Festival are among the most reknown musical events.
Kristiansand recently established a cultural foundation – Cultiva – with a considerable capital (NOK 1.4 billion). The purpose is to secure creativity and innovation in local art, culture and knowledge institutions activities. This effort may well contribute to developing Kristiansand into one of the leading cultural cities in Norway.

Communication and travel

Because of short ferry crossings and frequent sailings to neighbouring countries, Kristiansand is frequently referred to as Norway’s “Gateway to Europe”. Color Line will get you there from Hirtshals, Denmark, in only five hours (3 ½ in the summer). DFDS ensures good connections from Newcastle (UK) and Gothenburg (Sweden) throughout the year.

Kristiansand International Airport offers frequent shuttle flights to Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen. International connections are maintained through several daily direct flights to Copenhagen.

The south-western branch of the national railroad system runs through the city, linking passenger and freight trains with the west coast (Stavanger) as well as the rest of the country via Oslo.

Departing from Kristiansand, a number of scenic local roads let travellers follow the curving coast-line, with inviting detours to scenic towns, beaches and campsites.

In addition the national road system provides fast transportation in three main directions: by the coastal route E39 to Stavanger and Bergen, the inland route (N39) via the scenic Setesdal valley to the Fjord country, and the E18 to Oslo and Stockholm.

Regional information

Kristiansand is the county capital of Vest-Agder, which together with Aust-Agder – its neighbouring county to the east – constitute the Agder or Sorlandet region. The total Agder population is around 250,000.
Historically regional trade and industry developed around the exportation of timber to neighbouring North Sea countries. The wood resources also gave birth to fast growing ship building and shipping industries. Thus local culture has been heavily influenced by shipping and other activities related to the sea, including fishing. Presently the varied and green coastline, with its charming old out-ports is an important element in numerous recreational activities.

The sheltered coastline with scenic fishing villages and vast uninhabited areas is one of the region’s most valuable assets and provides unforgettable experiences.
A short inland drive by car brings visitors to the scenic Setesdal valley with some of the oldest preserved rural wooden settlements in Norway. The northern part of the valley offers excellent winter sports facilities.

Tourism – catering to most tastes

Due to its favourable climate and location by the sea and a number of family oriented activities, Kristiansand and the immediate surroundings is a favourite summer recreational area to most Norwegians. An increasing number of foreign visitors share this fascination for the region.

photo credit: Andreas Solberg

Even within the city limits you will find one of the most attractive coastal sceneries in northern Europe. This sheltered area is the playground of a large fleet of pleasure crafts – many on their way to secluded beaches or abundant fishing grounds.

Salmon fishing is open to the public in the Otra, a well-known salmon river that literally runs through the city. The city offers a number of restaurants and bars in all categories with opening hours allowing guests to fully profit from the light summer evenings.

photo credit: pbb

Open-air restaurants on the seafront offer fresh seafood, as well as venison and other game from neighbouring districts. Only ten minutes on foot from the busy city centre, countless paths allow you to disappear in the tranquillity of the woods – a much sought after retreat appreciated by locals as well as visitors. With its one-storey ancient wooden houses – all painted in a bright white colour, Kristiansand is regarded as one of Europe’s best preserved Renaissance cities. Cobblestone streets give the old town the appearance of a living museum – just a few blocks from the busy commercial part of the city.

Agder Naturmuseum and Botanical Garden offers a number of rare plants, while the impressive open-air museum at the Vest-Agder Fylkesmuseum shows early building fashions as well as insight into the daily lives of our ancestors. Built around the works of painter/sculptor Kjell Nupen, is an impressive theme park with water as a central element. Nearby is the historic fortress Christiansholm, built to protect the city from its enemies.

The Ravnedalen is a beautiful natural park to the north east of the centre.

Kristiansand Dyre- og fritidspark (Zoo and activity park) is the favourite of all families visiting the region. This intersting park offers Nordic and other animals in a natural setting, in addition to commercial attractions.

The city’s commercial activities are centered on Markensgate, which is a pedestrian street. The Markensgate offers a number of informal cafés, and is the number one meeting place for the locals. The Sørlandsparken commercial centre is located 5 kilometers to the east, hosting a large shopping mall, specialised retailers, and other businesses.

Facts and figures

• Population: 78,000
• Education: 25 per cent have university and/or college degrees
• Home ownership: 43 per cent live in privately owned houses

Area

• Total 277 km sq
• Populated 36 km sq
• Agricultural 10 km sq
• Productive forests 150 km sq
• Lakes 15 km sq
• Inhabitants per km sq 258

Offering some exceptional recreational activities, tourists flock to Trondheim to enjoy hiking around the Bymarka area, skiing on the Vassfjellet mountains and fishing on the Gaula river. Although the summer weather in Trondheim is rarely scorching, there are many sandy beaches close by which soon fill up on the sunniest of days, particularly around the Lade area and the Sjobadet.

photo credit: clydeye

As you traverse the compact centre of Trondheim, bear in mind that many of the road signs end in ‘gate’, which simply means ’street’. A free tourism guide is available at the Trondheim Aktivum tourist information office on the Torget and features a useful map.

Trondheim Tourist Information: Top Trondheim Sights

Trondheim may be a large city, but tourists will soon discover that is contains a series of important wetland habitats, where you may even be able to spot some wild beavers and otters around the River Nidelva. The manmade sights around central Trondheim are especially impressive and include the wooden palace of Stiftsgarden, the 17th-century Kristiansten Fortress, and the glorious Nidaros Domkirke, which stands next to the Archbishop’s Palace. A day trip to Monks’ Island (Munkholmen) also comes highly recommended and is a great place for a picnic, being connected by boats from the Ravnkloa quay. More information about Trondheim Tourist Attractions and Landmarks.

photo credit: Martin Eian

Culture abounds in Trondheim and many good museums present themselves, offering information about folklore, music, natural history and science. Art galleries are also well represented in the city and both the Museum of Contemporary Art (Kunstforening) and the Trondheim Art Museum (Kunstmuseum) have much to offer, the latter of which contains an impressive collection of Norwegian art works and paintings from all over Scandinavia. Something a little less highbrow is the city’s Science Centre, where interactive displays allow visitors to take part in their very own experiments. More information about Trondheim Museums and Art Galleries.

Regular boat trips run from Trondheim to many coastal towns and cities, such as Froya and Hitra. Also close by, the Skarvan og Roltdalen National Park is a vast nature reserve with some enormous mountains, scenic hiking trails and even a number of mountain cabins. Many day trippers from Trondheim also choose to visit the historic site of the Battle of Stiklestad, the fishing lakes and beaches of Skaun, and also the small village of Hell, often so that they can tell people they ‘went to Hell’ and how enjoyable it was. More information about Trondheim Attractions Nearby.

photo credit: Andreas Solberg

More Trondheim Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: Norway (Northern Norway)
• Location: County of Sor-Trondelag / Trondelag
• Status: city
• Area: approximately 131 square miles / 340 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 165,000
• Language: Norwegian
• Currency: Norwegian Kroner (NOK)
• Time zone: UTC / GMT +1
• Country dialing code: +47
• Telephone area code: 73
• Average daily Trondheim January temperature: 0°C / 32°F
• Average daily Trondheim July temperature: 19°C / 66°F

photo credit: olillevik

Experience this country of majestic mountains, picturesque fjords, spectacular waterfalls and ancient glaciers. Inland, abundant farmlands dot the landscape, where trout and salmon rivers or lakes offer a taste of the great outdoors. At the coast, feel the exhilaration of wild foaming seas during a storm, or wide sandy beaches on a calm summers’ day.

Haugesund, the “capital” of Haugalandet, has become a major tourist centre in Norway. Not that it was unknown previously! The sound, Karmsundet – also known as the old King’s Highway, was also called the Highway to the North. Nordvegen, Norwegen, Norway. Thus was our nation’s title derived.

But this was not just circumstance, for here in Haugesund rests Harald the Fairhaired, Norway’s first king, buried at Haraldshaugen – Norway’s national monument. Having unified the country, Harald placed his seat at Avaldsnes on Karmøy and which can rightly claim to be Norway’s first capital.

photo credit: MGSpiller

There are many traces of the fine Vikings who were domiciled here. The characteristic Olavskirken was built some 750 years ago by Håkon Håkonsen and consecrated to Saint Olav. The cross, Krosshaugen, has stood here for a thousand years. The burial mounds are from the iron age. At Etne is a viking ship. And along the nature trail i Utbjoa you can see the rock carvings dating back to the age of the great migration.

During the period when the Norwegian shipping fleet was among the world’s largest, so was the Haugesund fleet among the largest in Norway. It is said that the local song “Amanda from Haugesund” was sung more frequently than the national anthem when the longing for home became too much.

Internationally, the Norwegian Film Festival held in Haugesund has long been renowned. Even in New Orleans, the annual “Herring Jazz Festival” (Sildajazz) in Haugesund is much respected.

photo credit: mattj

STEINSFJELLET

227 meteres above sea level. Panoramic view over Haugaland and the North Sea Cars may be driven right to the summit (use the car park 100 yards before the summit). Marked track from the summit to Kringsjå tourist cabin. Open Sundays. Coffee and waffles. About 15 minutes walk.

VARDAFJELLET

122 metres above sea level. Fine view over the town and North Sea 30 minutes walk from the town.

HAUGESUND ART GALLERY

One of the finest galleries in the country and the region’s leading exhibitor of modern art. Open all year.

THE TOWN HALL

A gift from the ship-owner Knut Knutsen OAS and his wife Elisabeth. The Town Hall was inaugurated in 1931 and the park was opened in 1949. Guided tours June – August.

KARMSUND FOLK MUSEUM

Thematic exhibition with domestic implements from the home and community, seafaring, fishing, agriculture and archeology. Open all year.

SUPER VIDEOGRAPH OF HAUGALANDET

Experience Haugalandat’s rich fauna, wild coastline and major attractions on the 5-screen super-videograph in “LILLE MARITIM” at Rica Maritim Hotel in Haugesund. An event for the whole family. Viewing hourly between 16.00-18 00 in the period 01.07 – 31.08. Subject to change without notice.

THE MOVIE “A COASTAL PEOPLE”

A triple-screen documentary depicting life along the west coast of Norway as we enter the new millennium. Learn how coastal life has changed from generation to generation as seen through the eyes of local inhabitants. The film portrays music, art and Iyrics in a naw and invigorating style. Subject to chance without notice.

DOKKEN OPEN AIR MUSEUM

Thematic exhibition depicting living end working conditions during the herring industry period of the 1800s and upwards. Exhibits include sailing and rowing boats of the period, chapel, an apartment from the 1950s and an interesting photographic collection. Guided tours daily mid-June – early August except Saturdays.

HARALDSHAUGEN

photo credit: Vegard Økland

Norway’s national monument wes erected at Harald the Fair-haired’s grave in 1872 in celebretion of the 1000 yeer enniversary of the unification of Norway.

Norway’s national monument wes erected at Harald the Fair-haired’s grave in 1872 in celebretion of the 1000 yeer enniversary of the unification of Norway.

KROSSHAUGEN

Located approximately 75 metres south of Haraldshaugen is Krosshaugen, a stone cross dating from early Christian times.

photo credit: Charlie bosmore

MUSEUM FARM AT ØRPETVEIT

Near Amanda Shopping Centre. A farm from the 1800s. Farmhouse, barns, and outbuildings in the traditionel weet coast style.

RØVÆR

photo credit: hc gilje

Røvær is an idyllic group of islands about 10 km west of the Haugesund mainland with about 100 inhabitants. The island is rich in plant and bird life with good shoreline fishing possibilitiee and a fine harbour for pleasure boats. There is a reguler boat connection between Haugesund and Røvær.

STATOIL

Statoil is one of the world’s largest crude oil traders. Statoil is operating in 25 countries world-wide. Statoil shares is trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Statoil operates some 2,000 service stations in nine countries. About 1,500 of these outlets are in Scandinavia, including about 490 in Norway, 570 in Sweden, and about 300 in Denmark.

The Company’s own refining capacity also makes the group a big trader with refined oil products. The business unit for NGL trading in Statoil sells liquefied natural gases (propane and butanes) as well as ethane, petrochemical naphtha and condensate internationally. As a professional player in the energy market, the group has an extensive trading business with electricity in Scandinavia.

FISHING

Enjoy the rugged coastline, the invigorating sea air and the secluded coves. Sea-fishing is unrivalled here. Try your luck casting the line from the rocky foreshore. A day at sea is an unforgettable experience, fishing either from a smack or a cutter – a bite is virtually guaranteed.

GOLF

Haugesund Golfclub is a golf course with 9 holes and a variation of difficulties. The course is located at Kolnes approximately 5 minutes from Amanda Storcenter.

photo credit: larskflem

In Stavanger, you will find all the advantages and charm of a small town; small wooden houses lining narrow streets and alleys, cobblestone streets in the automobile-free heart of the town, lots of pleasant shops, a safe environment where you do not need to be afraid of violence against yourself or your children, the open-air flower and vegetable market, the fish pier with live catches and small boats along the harbor offering freshly caught shrimps, crabs and lobsters.

However, the city can also offer the advantages of a big city; an international mixture of people where nearly everyone speaks English (!), an excellent golf-course, a vibrant cultural environment with large and small concerts, exhibitions, festivals, theater and revue shows, a selection of restaurants and cafes to satisfy all tastes and styles, and nightlife that includes the most hectic nightclub.

photo credit: Pål Berge

Stavanger’s roots go back to the Ice Age and the time of the Vikings. The city itself is 873 years old, and preserves still some of last century’s appearance. Yet Stavanger is also a modern, lively place of culture. You can enjoy all kinds of music, galleries and museums, festivals, theatre and cabaret here. If you want a night on the town, you can opt for a sedate “library-bar” or a roof-raising nightclub – or anything in between.

People have lived in the Stavanger area ever since Norway has been populated. Traces from before the last Ice Age show the hardy people who lived and battled with nature around here. At the Archaeological Museum you can study the oldest relics of our culture, the first signs of life in our environs. Stavanger as a city was founded in 1125, when it was made a bishopric and building on the Cathedral started. The huge medieval Cathedral loomed over the little water front settlement around Vågen and its 200 or so people. It was not much of a city for the first 700 years and even in 1800, Stavanger had just 2.500 inhabitants.

photo credit: Marcus Ramberg

And then, the boom times arrived in rapid succession: herring fisheries, shipping, and the canning industry increased population ten-fold over the next 100 years. Yet another resource from under the sea – oil has brought the development of the town even further these last 30 years. The history of Stavanger is illustrated by a new exhibition at the Stavanger Museum. The history of seafaring and trade is shown at the Maritime Museum, located in two seaside warehouses on Strandkaien quay. The Canning Museum you will find in the midst of the old town of small wooden houses, Gamle Stavanger.

A TIMBER TOWN

Timber-built houses were not exclusive to this part of the world, but fires, wars and relentless progress took their toll. This has made the surviving Scandinavian timber built areas particularly interesting. The largest uninterrupted stretch of these is the section of wooden houses in Stavanger. This includes the oldest downtown areas as well as its surrounding residential areas. In fact, the houses we build in Stavanger today are still mainly of timber. Stavanger’s position as Europe’s, perhaps the world’s largets wooden house city, carries with it a cultural responsibility.

Most of the wooden houses were built between 1850 and World War ll, and range in style from classical to functionalist. A few older houses remain, as well. From the late 1700s until the 1860s, classicism was the reigning fashion. Examples of this period can be found in Gamle Stavanger and the ABC-block. It was only after the end of the 18th century that houses were painted preferably in ocher or red. The white that is now so typical of Stavanger’s old section first appeared in the mid-19th century, when paint could be prepared chemically and zink pigment became popular and inexpensive. After the 1860 fire that left the northern part of the centre in ashes, the centre was halved.

photo credit: Damiel

The north side had streets that were regular, straight and relatively wide with large, late-empire houses with fireproof gables. The Swiss style was dominant around the turn of the century. The most imaginative example of this is Breidablikk manor, open to the public now. Swiss-style houses were often painted in two or three deeply contrasting colours, which enhanced the ornamentation and richness of form. Art Nouveau became popular in 1910. At first it was a mixture of Swiss and Art Nouveau, but from 1920 onwards Art Nouveau reigned alone. The Eiganes area west of the centre, is full of examples of this style. After World War I, the economy of Stavanger plummeted. The town still conserved the appearance of an old timber town, but in the years prior to World War ll a number of houses were built following the rational simplicity of functionalism.

THE OLD TOWN

photo credit: Today is a good day

Gamle Stavanger contains 173 closely built, small wooden houses, all under preservation order. In 1975, the UN Architectural Heritage Year, Gamle Stavanger was selected as one of three Norwegian pilot projects – along with Røros and Nusfjord. The preservation of Gamle Stavanger has merited several respected international awards. This section of town is like a living museum, with residents of all ages. Strict regulations govern the maintenance of the houses. Several artisans have their workshops here, and sell crafts ranging from woodwork and ceramics to knives. The Canning Museum in Gamle Stavanger is well worth a visit.

WAREHOUSE

Aside from the Cathedral, the row of wharf warehouses fronting the harbour is Stavanger’s most outstanding architectural feature. In days past, the prominent gables of these houses lined the waterfront almost as far as eye could see 240 buildings at one time. Some 60 remain under preservation order. The painstaking restoration work is an on-going process. Compared to the other major ports Bergen, Ålesund, Kristiansund and Trondheim, Stavanger’s half-timbered waterfront wharf warehouses are outstanding in both construction and finish.

CULTURE

Stavanger is a wide-awake town, with an impressive list of places to go to and things to see. “There is everything in this town”, we keep hearing visitors say. We have festivals and “weeks” for every taste. Here is a sampling: Garlic Week, The Great Norwegian Humour Festival, MayJazz, Emigration Festival, Religious Culture Festival, The International Chamber Music Festival, the Kapittel literary festival and Literature Week at Sting. You can enjoy all sorts of music here. Stavanger is proud of its top-class symphony orchestra. Regular symphony concert season as well as special concerts at other times. In the summer, lunch-time concerts are held daily at the Concert Hall.

Utstein Monastery Church is the venue for a series of summer concerts. The town also has a poetry club, and Stavanger Musikkforum also has a varied concert programme. In addition, nightclubs bring to town famous artists and entertainers. Rogaland Theatre has always something exciting to offer both from the main scene and the intimate scene. One of the year’s highlights is Molieres undying comedy “The Stingy” which will be played in the main scene from the 21st March. The Theatre also promises top entertainment in the autumn season. Inquire at the Tourist Office, they always know what’s going on. Cabarets are popular. In the heart of town is the Culture House, a powerhouse of activity.

From downtown Stavanger, you are only a short distance away from the most the spectacular sceneries. The fjords are just outside your front door, and if you board a boat in the center of the town, you can reach the incomparable Lysefjorden in less than one hour. Here, you can see the famous Pulpit Rock (“Prekestolen”), among many other things. But nature has more to offer than fjords; Take a trip in the skerries, visit the open sea or the nearby mountains and try out your luck fishing, enjoy the sea, the sky and the light and the beaches of Jæren, or surf the beach at Solastranden. With Stavanger as your starting point, you can pursue every outdoor challenge you desire, while enjoying food and accommodation as simple or sumptuous as you wish.

STAVANGER CATHEDRAL

The medieval church, Stavanger Cathedral (Domkirke) dating from 1125, is always open. Come in, sit down, relax and enjoy the very beautiful church of ours! Of all the Norwegian churches built in the Middle Ages, our cathedral is the only one that has retained its original style. Adjacent to the church, the upper secondary school, Kongsgård, is located. For the last 150 years the buildings have served as a school, but prior to that it was a residence of kings, bishops and district governors.

THE CANNING MUSEUM

The Canning Museum (Hermetikkmuseet). This is a living museum in an old canning factory where brisling is smoked, for you to taste. A fine museum, providing you with the data on the most exiting historical account of Stavanger. Here, you will see why Stavanger looks as it does!

THE NORWEGIAN PRINTING MUSEUM

It will give you a fine introduction to the old printing crafts, and show you how the herring industry gave birth to Stavanger’s highly advanced graphical expertise.

EMIGRATION CENTRE

The Norwegian Emigration Centre with their National Archives and genealogical research centre, is also worth a visit. It also arrange the Emigration Festival every year, between June 22 and 29.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Archaeological Museum, displays interesting artifacts covering 15.000 years of history. Rogaland has an incredible collection of ancient relics. The Iron Age Farm at Ullandhaug is a reconstructed farm-stead from the Migration. Period, open during the summer season. Here you can see an interesting portrayal of Iron Age life.

STAVANGER MUSEUM

Stavanger Museum has a zoological exhibition of animals and birds from all over the world. There is also now a new town history exhibition with life-like scenes from Stavanger’s 870-year tradition.

ROGALAND ART MUSEUM

Rogaland Art Museum, displays 1500 paintings from the 19th century, many by Lars Hertervig. Fantastic paintings from the region around Stavanger dating from the 18th century.

BREIDABLIKK MANSION

The Swiss-chalet style Breidablikk mansion dating from 1881. Also displays old landaus and sledges in its barn museum.

MANSION MUSEUM

See the Ledaal Herregaardsmuseum (Mansion Museum). This magnificent and beautiful old house, a fine example of the Neo-Classical, was the summer residence of the Kielland (writer) family from 1799.

MARITIME MUSEUM

Maritime Museum, displays the important maritime history of the area for the past 200 years. Easy to find; At the harbour just across the street from the fish market.

THE MISSIONARY MUSEUM

The Missionary Museum (Misjonsmuseet), has many interesting artifacts and relics from Africa, Asia and South America.

STATOIL

Statoil is one of the world’s largest crude oil traders. The head office is located at Forus. Statoil is operating in 25 countries world-wide. Statoil shares is trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Statoil operates some 2,000 service stations in nine countries. About 1,500 of these outlets are in Scandinavia, including about 490 in Norway, 570 in Sweden, and about 300 in Denmark.

The Company’s own refining capacity also makes the group a big trader with refined oil products. The business unit for NGL trading in Statoil sells liquefied natural gases (propane and butanes) as well as ethane, petrochemical naphtha and condensate internationally. As a professional player in the energy market, the group has an extensive trading business with electricity in Scandinavia.

GOLF

Stavanger Golfclub is a golf course with 18 holes and a variation of difficulties. The course lies at Store Stokkavatn, approximately 6 km from Stavanger City Center.

Bergen muncipality has approximately 239.300 inhabitants and covers a area of 465,0 km2. The city is a spectacular amphitheatre clambering up the mountainsides, looking over the sea, embracing you. Wander along the Fish Market and mingle with the masses as they go about their daily life. Stroll leisurely to the Aquarium to see the fish, the penguins and the seals. Walk the length of Bryggen to the old fortress of Bergenhus. Håkon Håkonsson once ruled all Norway from here, making Bergen the country’s first capital city. In 1261 he built the mighty “Håkons Hall” for his son Magnus Lagabøter’s wedding and coronation.

photo credit: Today is a good day

Perhaps you have an appreciation for old-style painters such as J.C. Dahl or more modern ones like Munch or Picasso, perhaps you´re interested in architecture or history, technical skills or maritime matters. The old parts of town are living history and our museums and galleries keep both art and our ancestral heritage alive.

The Hanseatic wharf Bryggen, the Fish Market composer Edvard Grieg´s home at Troldhaugen, Rasmus Meyer´s art collection, the Aquarium and Old Bergen, just to mention a few.

Tradition, initiative and drive has made Bergen one of Norway´s most vigorous cultural towns. It isn´t merely by chance that Norway´s biggest cultural event, the Bergen International Festival,is held here each year.

The Fjord Capital has a, vide variety of activities ranging from “high” culture to lively football matches at the Brann Stadium. We have a professional ballet company, an exciting jazz and blues milieu, repertory theatres and imaginative revues. Norway´s very first theatre, Den Nationale Scene, and the Bergen International Theatre offer a broad spectrum of performances, while one of the world´s oldest symphony orchestras, Harmonien, holds Thursday concerts in the town´s splendid Grieg Hall.

photo credit: Erik K Veland

In Bergen you´ll find just about everything from tea rooms to speciality fish restaurants, from small bistros to discotheques, bars and nightclubs. Ask a Bergenser where you should go and quite likely you´ll be directed to one of the town´s classic hostelries which has drawn customers for decades. There again, you may just as well be shown the way to a bistro which otherwise you´d never have found – or treat yourself at one of the town´s pastry shops. Bergen has some of the country´s most beautiful restaurant settings and some of the country´s best eating places – all you have to do is choose according to your desire, appetite and wallet!

Bergen has always been a town of traders. For our guests, this means that they´ll find plenty of tempting shops – from the small and specialised to the large departmental store. Many visitors have remarked that they find more specialist shops here than in other Norwegian towns. Our late opening shopping centres measures up very favourably to most others when it comes to enterprise and plenty to choose from. In addition we have “Super Saturdays” where most shops in the centre of town stay open until 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month. Thursday too is a big day for town centre shopping, with shops staying open until 7 p.m. In Bergen you´ll always find a good bargain!

photo credit: Robert/Says/Hi

When essential purchases have been done, the shops gazed at and the thrill of local life tasted, the Gateway to the Fjords still has a lot to offer, its seven mountains the town itself with its unexpected nooks and tiny alleyways. Bergen is a town to potter around in. Here is history in its old houses, a sense of well-being in its narrow streets, and monuments dotted around everywhere. Most of this is within easy strolling distance and that´s the advantage of this nucleus of a city between fjord and mountain.

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

The World´s Most Beautiful Voyage starts or end in Bergen. It´s a voyage like no other. Nothing can compare with it. Nothing about this journey will resemble anything you have ever experienced before. A ticket for the Coastal Express (Hurtigruten) is a ticket to the theatre, an 11-day drama in which new acts constantly unfold all around you.

photo credit: wYnand!

EDVARD GRIEG

When Edvard Grieg grew up, Bergen was a small and busy European town. All through its past as a Hanseatic city, Bergen had established a net of connections that made it the only continental Norwegian city. The main business was the trade with fish and other products typical for the coast. There was a close contact with the rest of Europe, a fact that is easily retraceable in the origin of the bergener. Most of the families within the city limits had ancestors in Denmark, Germany, Scotland, England, the Netherlands and other European nations. Bergen was also a meltingpot for the population along the Norwegian coast. Edvard Grieg’s family was a typical Bergen-family: His great grandfather Alexander Greig (later changed to Grieg) came to the city from Cairnbulg close to Aberdeen in Scotland in the 1770s. He founded the family business, which was trade with dried fish and lobster across the North sea.

Edvard Grieg was born in Bergen 15th of June 1843, in the family’s house in Strandgaten 152. He grew up in a successful merchant family, together with his brother John (born 1840) and his sisters Maren (born 1837), Ingeborg Benedicte (born 1838) and Elisabeth (born 1845). Very early he showed a strong interest in music and for the piano as instrument. He could sit at the piano for hours, exploring all kinds of tunes on his own.

The hero in the young Edvard Grieg’s dreams was the “fairytale-uncle” the famous violin virtuoso Ole Bull. Ole Bull’s brother was married to Edvard’s aunt, but it was first of all through the musical environment in Bergen that Ole Bull and Grieg’s parents got to know each other. The event became, according to Grieg, the most important single event in his life. Edvard Grieg had to play for the world-famous violinist, and after he had heard him playing some of his own small compositions, Ole Bull became very serious and spoke slowly with Grieg’s parents. After that he came over to Edvard and said: “You are going to Leipzig to become an artist!”

photo credit: Peer.Gynt

Nina and Edvard Grieg´s home is one of the great tourist attractions in Norway. The attractive Swiss style villa was designed by the architect Schack Bull and built in 1884-85. Situated in luxuriant surroundings, Troldhaugen lies on a promontory jutting out into Lake Nordas with an outstanding view over the water. Every summer from 1885 to his death in 1907, Edvard Grieg lived and worked here, touring Europe with his wife, Nina, during the winter months.

On the beginning of the 1870’s Edvard Grieg co-operated extensively with the Norwegian author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, which led to Grieg composing music to Bjørnson’s poems. Grieg and Bjørnson’s most ambitious project was a national opera based on the history of the Norwegian king Olav Trygvason. In the beginning the work went forward quickly, but after a while they both lost some of the inspiration and a conflict raised between the two. The conflict concerned what had to be done first; the music or the libretto. In September 1907 he and Nina planned to participate on the music-festival in Leeds, England. They had left Troldhaugen for the season and lodged at Hotel Norge in Bergen, waiting for the boat that should take them to England via the continent. Grieg became seriously ill and was hospitalised in Bergen, where he died on September 4th 1907 of chronic exhaustion.

THE HANSEATIC WHARF

The very first buildings in Bergen were alongside the harbour called Bryggen. Bryggen has been the nervecentre of the city for hundreds of years and the silhouette of it’s ancient gables is perhaps the most familiar image in all of Norway. In 1360 the Hansas, a German guild of merchants, set up one of their import/ export offices on Bryggen and dominated trade for the next 400 years.

Many times Bryggen has been devastated by fire, and the Great Fire of 1702 reduced the whole city to ashes. But Bryggen was quickly re-built on top of foundations that had been here since the 11th century. Bryggen is now on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and the city of Bergen is a designated World Heritage City.

To meander through Bryggen’s narrow alleyways made even darker and more mysterious by overhanging balconies, is to step back into a time hardly touched by the passage of centuries. Althoug 61 of Bryggen’s buildings are preserved and protected they are not a museum. Bryggen’s spectacular wooden architecture shelters a living community of shops and offices; artists’ studios; crafts-people’s workshops, and restaurants.

THE FISH MARKET

Wander along the Fish Market and mingle with the masses as they go about their daily life. Bergen’s well known and picturesque Fish Market also sells fruit, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs.

THE FUNICULAR

Fløibanen takes you from the city centre to fresh air and fantastic scenery in 8 minutes – 320 m.a.s.l. (1050 ft.). From there you can enjoy a magnificent view over Bergen and surburbs. Numerous paths offer easy walks through beautiful woodland terrain with lakes and mountains. Playground for children. During summer the restaurant on top of Mount Fløyen is open daily. The kiosk and souvenir shop is open all year.

OLD BERGEN

This is an open air museum of some 40 wooden houses placed on squares, streets and narrow alleys, like it used to be in the times of our great-great grandfathers. The interiours show town-life as it was in the 18th and 19th century, for instance a bakery, dentinst, photographer, jeweller, shopkeeper, official, sailor and more.

ULRIKSBANEN CABLE CAR

Enjoy Bergen’s best view of the city, fjords, islands and coast. Mount Ulriken’s cable car and the unique double-decker sightseeing bus take you from the Fish Market to the roof of Bergen. This “Bergen in a nutshell” sightseeing tour takes you along the harbour and Bryggen, through the historic town centre, up to an overwhelming experience on Mount Ulriken and back, the highest of Bergen’s 7 mountains (642 m.a.s.l.).

BERGEN AQUARIUM

One of the finest and most extensive collections of marine fauna in Europe. There are many large and smaller tanks and outdoor pools with seals, penguins and carp. The Aquarium extension contains a realistic nesting cliff, open plan aquariums, new exhibition and video.

MUSEUMS

Bergen has numerous museums: the Hanseatic Museum, the Bryggen Museum, the “Buekorps” Museum, the Norwegian Fisheries Museum, Bergen’s Maritime Museum, the West Norwegian Museum of Applied Arts, the Horda Museum, Lepra Museum, and many more. Each one reflects in its own way the history of Bergen and its inhabitants.

BRYGGEN MUSEUM

In a beautiful modern building, houses the extensive medieval finds excavated nearby, and the Hanseatic Museum is in one of the old Hansa buildings and illustrates the life of a 18th century merchant. Putting all of these aspects together, you have an unmissable chance to experience life on Bryggen streching from time immemorial to the present today.

CHURCHES

Bergen has many churches to offer. Every Sunday at 11 am High Mass in Norwegian is offered in all the city churches.

ST. MARY´S CHURCH (Mariakirken)

The oldest building in Bergen from the first half of the 12th century, and one of the most outstanding Romanesque churches in the country. The pulpit is the pride of the church and is considered the richest example of Baroque decorative art in Norway.

FANTOFT STAVE CHURCH

The old stave church at Fantoft, originally built in Fortun in Sogn in 1150 and moved to Fantoft in 1883, burnt down in 1992. Fantoft Stave Church has now been rebuilt just as it was before the fire.

THE CATHEDRAL (Domkirken)

The Cathedral is today a blend of architecture from throughout its long and sometimes turbulent history. The oldest parts are the choir and the lower part of the tower, built in 13th century Gothic style.

ST. JOHN´S CHURCH (Johanneskirken)

Built in 1894. Johanneskirken is one of the finest neo-Gothic churches in Norway.

KORSKIRKEN

Korskirken was first built in the middle of the 12th century, but very little remains from this period. Today it is predominantly a church of Renaissance architecture from the 17th century.

NYKIRKEN

One of the many noteworthy edifices damaged during the war by an explosion in 1944, but now fully restored to its former glory. The church is built in the architectural style of the early 18th century.

ST. GEORG´S CHURCH (St. Jørgens Kirke)

The church forms part of the old leprosy hospital buildings and was originally built in the Middle Ages, but rebuilt after the great fire in 1702.

STATOIL

The gas treatment plant at Kollsnes forms part of the Troll Gas development. Lean gas from this facility is piped to continental Europe through four trunkline systems: Statpipe/Norpipe, Zeepipe, Europipe I and Franpipe. These exports go to France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Spain.

The Kollsnes plant dries and compresses the gas for pipeline export to continental Europe. Natural gas liquids and condensate (light oil) are piped to Statoil’s nearby Mongstad refinery complex through the Vestprosess system. Deliveries of gas by pipeline are also being made from the plant to the local Kollsnes Business Park, with Naturgass Vest as the buyer.

The Naturkraft company part-owned by Statoil has plans to build a gas-fired power station at the Kollsnes plant. It is awaiting a go-ahead from its owners for this project and for a similar facility at the Kårstø gas treatment plant.

WALKING

The mountains surrounding Bergen offer a wide range of walks in mountainous and wooden country. In the mountains surrounding the city you can walk in unspoiled nature, enjoy clear fresh air and bathe in sparkling mountain lakes. Bergen has many oases of greenry with lovely parks and unspoiled trust land.

FISHING

There is good fjord and sea fishing in Nordhordland. Not far to the west there are a lot of good fishing spots in the sea, where you can catch large cod, catfish and other types of fish. The open sea, the sounds and the calm waters of the fjords offer many good places to fish both from a boat or from the shore; salmon, trout, mackerel, cod, saithe, ling, pollack, tusk, halibut, flounder, angler fish and catfish. Get hold of a good sea chart with information about depth and the sea bed, and an angling guide with information about where to find the various species of fish together these can provide you with a fine catch!

GOLF

Bergen Golfclub is a golf course with 18 holes and a variation of difficulties. The course lies at Åstveit in Åsane. Approximately 8 km north of Bergen.

Fana Golfclub is under construction.

Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals, and its history goes back to 1000 years ago, when the first settlements were built at the inlet of the Oslo fjord.
After the Great Fire that destroyed the city in 1624, the Danish King Christian IV, decided to rebuild the city in brick and stone, and named it Christiania. Three hundred years later, in 1925, the citizens decided to rename their city Oslo.

Oslo is a pleasant city with over 500 000 inhabitants. The city is characterized by a mix of old and new architecture, parks, hills, museums, monuments, lakes, forests and the fjord. It is a vibrant city, excellent for shopping, cultural and sports activities. Oslo has a wide range of good restaurants and a lively nightlife.

The city has become an attractive tourist- and conference city, with a large selection of excellent hotels and congress venues.

Geography:

The geographical area of Oslo is 450 km2, and only 1/3 of the area is developed. The city centre is surrounded by woods, lakes and 40 islands in the fjord.

Climate

Average mean temperatures in:
November-March: -3 C
April-May: 8 C
Jun-Jul-Aug: 16 C
Sep-Oct: 8 C
Hours of sunshine per month in Jun-Jul-Aug-Sep: 240 hrs

Population

510 000 inhabitants

Employment

360 000 people have Oslo as their place of work. The City of Oslo employs approximately 43  000 people.

Business and Industry

Shipping industry
Information technology, telecommunications and multimedia
Offshore and engineering activities
Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals

To find out more about Oslo, please check out some of the following web-sites:

• VisitOSLO A/S (tourism and congress information) : www.visitoslo.com

• Norwegian Tourism Board: www.visitnorway.com

• Information about Norway: www.norway.org

• Oslo Teknopol: www.oslo.technopole.no

• Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry: www.nho.no