Tromsø

Tromsø municipality has approximately 68.300 inhabitants and covers a area of 2.566,3 km2 and lies in Troms county. The municipality is the gateway to the Arctic, at 70 degrees north. The major industries in Tromsø are fisheries and tourism. In addition Tromsø is home to the northernmost university and college in the world with some 7.500 students. Tromsø is actually on an island, Tromsøya. The Tromsø sound divides the town from the mainland, where the famous Arctic cathedral stands with its unique architecture. On the mainland, a 4-minute trip by cable car takes you up Storsteinen mountain, 420 metres above sea level. At the top there is a magnificent viewpoint and Fjellstua restaurant. You can choose between sitting inside our out, depending on the weather. You get a fantastic view of the whole town, and as you are brought back down to earth on the cable car at the end of the day, you can look forward to a long Tromsø night. The Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruten) has daily departures.

THE PARIS OF SCANDINAVIA

Tromsø has been given many names, reflecting its great versatility and popularity. "The world's largest fishing village", "The gateway to the Arctic". The people of Tromsø know how to go out on town and let their hair down, and their town has plenty to offer in the way of nightlife.

Inevitabely, the young population gives Tromsø a hallmark as a lively town with a rich cultural life and nightlife. The numerous cafes, bars, discos and restaurants give room to some 21.000 hungry and thirsty guests. Pretty good, considering the total number of people living in what is often refered to as Paris of the North. Nevertheless, most waterholes and restaurants are popular with the citizens and the many visitors. Tromsø has a rich, active and varied cultural scene. Theatre thrives despite lacking funds and apt venues to perform.

Musically Tromsø has over the latest years harbinged some internationally renowned names such as Røyksopp, Bel Canto, Geir Jensen, Anneli Drecker, Lene Marlin, Espen Lind and Aggie Frost.

Tromsø is a melting pot, combining old shipping families, Lapp descendants, university environments, all the people from further south in Norway, a real mixture. Where else would you meet people from over 100 nationalities all in one place? In the town's famous beer tent, you´ll see a rich variety of dress and colour. Tromsø is the kind of place that really gets to you. People are known to fall in love with the town, giving it a special place in their hearts, they curse the cold, dark winter, praise the summer days and could never think of living anywhere else.

Between the end of November and January, the sun remains below the horizon, and Tromsø is in darkness. There are a couple of hours of grey light in the middle of the day, and when it gets really cold and the skies are clear, the evening can often bring an incredible play of colours across the skies.

THE ARCTIC CATHEDRAL

The church is in an ideal setting, centrally located in Tromsdalen and on a slight hill, close to the Tromsø Bridge. It's location makes it visible from the island itself and from the housing areas on the mainland. Whether travellers come by boat or by car, the church is easily seen and found.

The Arctic Cathedral is a name often given to the church. Perhaps because it has become a major tourist attraction in Tromsø? The large, angular formation and the light colour can easily be associated with an iceberg. The frontal part of the building is 35 metres high. Along it's length there are concrete columns that reach all the way to the ground.

These angled columns are covered with a cladding of laquered aluminium plates. The interior lighting is positioned such that it lights the outside of these plates as well as the inside of the church, giving a special effect.

The ground area of the main church hall is 900 square metres, with seating for 720 people. The lower floor, or cellar, has an area of 1020 square metres. The former burial chapel is now a lecture and meeting room. Other rooms are the chapel of rest, smaller conference rooms and other practical rooms such as cloakroom and kitchen.

COASTAL STEAMER (HURTIGRUTA)

The World´s Most Beautiful Voyage is 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 Steamer is a ticket to the theatre, an 11-day drama in which new acts constantly unfold all around you. See the pictures from the Coastal Steamer taken by one of our passengers.

TROMSØ INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The major cinematic event i Tromsø is the annual Tromsø International Film Festival that goes on in the end of January. The festival has grown remarkably over the years and now attracts a great number of Norwegian and international movies, actors, directors and audiances alike. It has become one of the most important Film Festivals in Norway.

TROMSØ MUSEUM

North Norway's largest and oldest museum offers stimulating exhibitions on the natural and cultural history of the region. Comprehensive exhibition on the traditional culture of the Sami people, and an exquisite collection of ecclesiastical art and a full-scale viking longhouse. Many exhibits suitable for children. Films about the Sami people and about the Northern Lights are shown every day from June to August. Accessible for wheelchair users. Cafe and museum shop with quality gifts.

POLARIA

Housed in a very distinctive building that represents ice floes that have been pressed up on land by the rough seas of the Arctic, you will discover Polaria, just five minutes walk from the centre of Tromsø. Polaria has an Arctic aquarium, interesting knowledge-based exhibits, a panoramic cinema, and a gift and souvenir shop.

POLAR MUSEUM

The Polar Museum is located in the old preserved and protected customs building that was built in the 1830's The museum is in the centre of the old part of town, near the old quaysides and warehouses, and is close to the collection of preserved wooden houses known as "Skansen". The museum has interesting and informative exhibitions about polar explorers and hunters.

THE ART MUSEUM

The Art Museum of Northern Norway is temporarily closed. The museum will re-open in new premises in the centre of Tromsø (Sjøgata 1, the old Police Station) during the autumn of 2001.

TROMSØ MILITARY MUSEUM

Display of military history at a former German naval cannon battery. exhibition on "Tirpitz" - the German battleship sunk by the Allies at Håkøya, in November 1944.

PERSPEKTIVET MUSEUM

Perspektivet, Tromsø municipal museum was founded in 1995 as a regional museum for the Tromsø area. In 2000 the museum was reorganised as a municipal institution for Tromsø, a city which is growing day by day. The museum owns two open air sites, Folkeparken and Straumen Gård.

PERSPEKTIVET MUSEUM - FOLKEPARKEN

A collection of houses from the Tromsø area, moved and reconstructed. Kvitnesgården is from 1826, the interior has been preserved. Estate house from the trading centre at Kvitnes in Karlsøy. Mortengården from 1850 with typical solid timber contsruction. Exhibition of contemporary household items. Boathouse with Nordlands boat (traditional style of boatbuilding).

PERSPEKTIVET MUSEUM - STRAUMEN GÅRD

This coastal farm consists of 11 buildings and is the most completely preserved site of it's kind in the North. There are exhibitions ofcontemporary furniture and equipment used on the farm. There will be a special theme every Sunday during the summer months (13 June - 15 August). Demonstrations of handcrafts and traditional working methods. Guided tours and café. Open for groups outside of normal hours (must be booked in advance) More information.

NORSK TELEMUSEUM TROMSØ

Telecommunications museum. Built up around the old long-wave broadcast station, the collection includes telegraph and telephone equipment from the 1930's to the present day.

MUSEUMS

The town's buildings are just as varied and contrasting as the inhabitants. More recent architecture sits side by side with old-fashioned wooden buildings in the Empire style. Close by the town centre are the Polar Museum, the Military Museum and the University Museum with exhibitions of Lapp culture, archaeology, geology and zoology. A bit further out of town is the Northern Lights Planetarium, providing a fascinating insight into the heavens.

THE NOEWEGIAN POLAR INSTITUTE

The Norwegian Polar Institute has been moved to Tromsø, and with its arrival, the new "Polaria" has been opened - an adventure centre focusing on the unique characteristics of the Arctic region. The centre has one of Europe's largest aquariums, interactive exhibitions and films from Polar regions.

SOMMARØY

Sommarøy is a populated island in the western part of Tromsø, about 36 kilometres (22 mi) west of the city of Tromsø. The island is connected to Kvaløya island with the Sommarøy Bridge. The village of Sommarøy covers the island as well as the neighboring island of Hillesøy and many smaller surrounding islands. The population is approximately 230.

PICTURES

Pictures taken by amateur photograps of local scenery worth seeing. GoNorway want to show pictures of good quality taken by anyone. Click on the small images and get a large image with a map and a txt of what you see. The photographers name with link to their Homepage, Facebook, Twitter and video on YouTube.

ALFHEIM STADION

Alfheim stadium was rebuilted to the 1987-season after Tromsø reached the Premier division for the first time the year before. Now, over ten years later, Alfheim desperatly needs to be redeveloped. When finished the capasity will probably be around 10.000. In addition to Alfheim, Tromsø have an indoor fullsized footballfield used for training.

FISHING

Deep sea fishing enthusiasts can take a fishing trip out on the ocean. You can fish for salmon, sea trout and Arctic trout. Be aware that there are a number of special rules in regards to fishing. Remember to purchase a fishing licence.

GOLF

Tromsø Golfclub is located 45 km from the town center. The course is the most northenly 18 hole golfclub in the world. The surroundings with Lyngsalpene is spectacular.