The Canon
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“Kanona” (the Canon) pointing towards the Skansekaia, is a small legend in Ålesund, and has quite a history. The canon is an 18 pound bullet canon, and was forged in 1826. Originally, it was situated on Lihaugen, with the muzzle towards the harbour. When it was to be fired for the first time, all the windows in buildings by the Sandborgbrygga broke. The muzzle was then turned towards the mountain, but the result did not improve, as at this point most windows on Lihaugen broke due to the air pressure from the firing. It was then moved to the park, but no matter which hill it was fired from, it did a lot of damage with the powerful bangs. It was fired for the last time on the fateful night of January 23d, 1904, during the big city fire. In the beginning of the 20s, the cannon was transported half way up the stairs to Fjellstua, and it has never been fired from here. It is now an attraction for everyone using the stairs between the city park and Fjellstua.