What to see in Norway?

Contents:

• Norway Attractions
• Castle in the heart of Oslo
• The National Gallery in Oslo
• Mysterious figures Alta
• Nidaros Cathedral
• Fabulous Harbour Bergen

The Kingdom of Norway is located in Northern Europe, and forms the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Its coastline is entirely indented fjords - deep valleys that have arisen in place of glaciers, which have been flooded. Longest of them - Sognefjord - stretches for 203 kilometers inland; Geiranger fjord and Nereus fjord listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. The shores are washed by the Norwegian Arctic Ocean and the Barents Sea.
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Norway Attractions

Almost untouched wilderness and amazing cultural heritage of Norway attract thousands of tourists each year.

The cold climate is conducive to active development of winter sports. Hiking and skiing - a great way to spend an unforgettable time in the land of the Vikings.

Individual attention, historical and cultural attractions of Norway. The national museums of collected samples of arts and crafts that introduce us to the unique culture of northern people. Akershus Fortress in Oslo, Alta Museum, National Gallery, Nidaros Cathedral, Bryggen Wharf in Bergen - attractions that simply must be seen, visited Norway.

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Castle in the heart of Oslo

Perhaps the most famous landmark is the Oslo Akershus Fortress - one of the national symbols of Norway. It was built more than seven centuries ago. Construction of the fortress began in the late XIII-th century to protect the capital against the invading aggressors. In the first half of the XVII century it was reconstructed in the castle, giving the characteristics of the architecture of the Renaissance. For most of its history, Akershus Fortress (or part of it) was used as a prison. During the Second World War there was a German POW camp.

Currently, the fortress is still a military area. In the eastern part of the building now houses the Ministry of Defence of Norway. However, the door is open to visitors daily until 21.00. you can visit the Museum of the Norwegian armed forces (The Norwegian Armed Forces Museum) and the Museum of resistance organizations (The Norwegian Resistance Museum), which are located within the fortress. You should also look into the Royal Mausoleum, where the remains of many generations of the royal family. With views of the bay and a few steps from first-class hotels, Akershus Fortress is an excellent starting point for your study sites in Norway.

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The National Gallery in Oslo

True connoisseurs of art arrived in Norway, of course first of all go to the National Gallery in Oslo. The history of the museum dates back to 1836. Almost two centuries gallery has the widest collection of works by leading Norwegian artists and sculptors, which today is a national treasure of Norway. In 2003, the National Gallery in Oslo, has teamed up with two other museums, changed its name to the National Gallery of Art, Architecture and Design.

However, many still prefer to use the old name, as brought worldwide fame to the museum is priceless examples of fine art. The collection contains masterpieces of not only the Norwegian, but the French, Swedish and Danish artists. In the gallery you can find works by representatives of early French Modernism Henri Matisse and Paul Cezanne, as well as post-impressionist Vincent van Gogh.

However, the most valuable tourist attraction of the National Gallery are four versions of the world-famous painting "The Scream" Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. Written in 1893, it was stolen in 1994, but eventually returned to the museum.
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Mysterious figures Alta

Located in the north of Norway near the Arctic Circle town of Alta rock carvings are the most important evidence of the existence of human activities within the Far North in the period between 4200 and 500 years BC. They illustrate in detail the life of prehistoric man. The images were carved on the rocks along the fjord during the retreat of the glaciers, so the paintings found above, the older ones that are closer to the modern sea level. The difference in height of about 25 meters.

The first rock painting Alta researchers have discovered and studied in 1967, and in 1985 the drawings made in the list of World Heritage sites. In 1991, the museum was opened, which in 1993 received the title of the best museums in Europe. Scientists retouched pictures of bright red paint, but otherwise remained intact attraction Alta

Group petroglyphs (rock art) consists of more than 5,000 drawings and carved in stone human figures and animals. Most of them (approximately 3,000 images) is concentrated in the open-air museum of Alta, which also includes an exhibition space with wonderful exhibits of prehistory of the region.

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Nidaros Cathedral

Nidaros Cathedral - a wonderful combination of medieval architectural styles. Initially there was only a small basilica, but in the first half of the XII-th century it expanded to gigantic proportions. Today the cathedral is the largest medieval structure in Scandinavia. The nave and the choir performed in the style of early Gothic architecture (XIII century) and it is very reminiscent of modern cathedrals of England, in particular, Westminster Abbey, and Lincoln Cathedral of St. Mary. The western facade is decorated with exquisite sculptural ensemble of two towers and Gothic rose in the center.

The sculptures, most of which had to be replaced at the beginning of XX-th century, depict apostles, Old Testament characters, the bishops and the angels. The main attraction of the cathedral - the front altar, dating from the beginning of the XIV-th century, now located in the chapel gallery. It was erected in honor of St. Olaf - Norwegian king and national hero, whose relics are in the cathedral.

For a long time the church was the place of coronation of Norwegian kings (coronation ceremony was canceled in 1908). Today Nidaros Cathedral is a Lutheran parish church. Every year it is visited by about 400 thousand tourists.

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Fabulous Harbour Bergen

Bryggen - a colorful complex of buildings along the waterfront of the city of Bergen, made of wood. The harbor was built in the period of greatest influence of the Hanseatic League, an alliance of trading cities, which in the XIV century monopolized the trade along the northern coast of Europe. Numerous fires (the last of which occurred in 1955) leveled some of the wooden buildings yard, but most survived. In 1979, Bryggen was included in the World Heritage List.

For centuries, the harbor is the main attraction of Bergen, and the silhouette of his pointed roofs - perhaps the most recognizable figure in all of Norway. Today there are many different souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants and museums. Most of the buildings are now used as artists' studios.

However, it should be remembered that the main value of the Norwegian region - its nature. Therefore, in addition to the historical and cultural monuments should certainly visit the natural attractions of Norway.