Ålesund town

Even though the people of Ålesund occasionally take a beating from the weather, the city’s location is perfect. Around a narrow channel between two islands, the farmer fishermen found a sheltered harbour. Rich fishing banks were a short distance away, making this an ideal place for trade. Norway has been exporting stockfish to Europe since the early Middle Ages. The demand for stockfish was driven by the Catholic ban on eating meat during Lent, and also because fish that could be stored and transported over long distances was highly valued. Because the climate on the northwest coast is ideal for drying salted codfish, conditions were ripe for increasing fish exports from this region from the late 18th century. The dried cod industry was the reason why Ålesund was granted city status in 1848, and since then, the city has developed into Norway’s main fishing port and the largest export harbour for fish. Today, Ålesund is home to nearly 50 000 people. Ålesund is also known for its characteristic Art Nouveau architecture, which appeared after the catastrophic fire that raged one January night in 1904. 850 buildings were destroyed in the fire that left 12 000 people homeless but claimed only one fatality. Help came from near and far, including architects with new ideas. In only a few short years the city centre was rebuilt, with masonry buildings designed in modern styles taken from contemporary Europe. Ålesund therefore remains confident in its identity as the fishing capital of the Sunnmøre region, while keeping its eyes on the horizon, other ports and new impulses.