5 Awesome Places to Visit in Tromso
The docks of Tromso, northern Norway's largest
city, lies between Narvik and Hammerfest on a small island 349 kilometres north
of the Arctic Circle. Established in the 13th century, Tromso remains an
important fishing port, as well as a popular location from which to view and
study Norway's famous aurora borealis, or northern lights. Each year in late
January/early February, Tromso hosts the Northern Lights Festival, a musical
extravaganza that attracts artists and symphonic orchestras from across
Scandinavia.
Tromsø Arctic-Alpine
Botanic Garden
The Tromsø
Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden and its unique collections are a must-see
for those interested in Northern Norway's unique flora. Despite the snow, the
flowering season starts early in May, rewarding visitors with displays of
purple saxifrage and yellow cushion plants, pasqueflowers, and a variety of
flowering bulbs. The garden is divided into 25 collections, each showcasing a
different cold-weather species or region, including plants of the Himalayas,
the Arctic, and other extreme climates, as well as traditional Norwegian
plants.
Arctic Cathedral
Just before
the Tromsø Bridge on the mainland sits Tromsdalen Church, better
known as the Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen). This striking example of the
bold modern architecture now common throughout Norway was designed by Jan Inge
Hovig in 1965. Hovig's design ties in elements of divine worship with the
Nordic surroundings, echoing the shape of ships' sails and the stark white of
the ice.
Science Center of
Northern Norway
The Science Center of
Northern Norway, home to Norway's largest planetarium, offers visitors a
thrilling up close look at Tromsø's spectacular northern lights on its huge
digital screen. In addition, the center offers visitors a chance to explore
regional phenomena and universal questions on more than 80 interactive
installations covering arctic related themes such as energy, climate, and
weather, as well as resources and the environment.
Hella, Kvaløy
About 32 kilometers
south of Tromsø on the east side of the island of Kvaløy lies the village of
Hella and its open-air museum containing a number of houses from old Tromsø. Also,
worth a visit are the Kvinnafossen Falls, located between Leikanger and Hella.
They are particularly stunning during the spring thaw, when visitors park on
the road to feel the spray from the waterfall.
Tromsø Museum
The Tromsø Museum's most
popular area is dedicated to the Northern Lights, acting as an educational
center, which allows visitors to get hands-on with the science behind the
phenomenon. Exhibits include a look at the history of aurora borealis research,
a thorough explanation of what makes these lights appear, and even an area
where you can create your own show in the plasma chamber. There is also a film,
free guided tours, and admission includes a complimentary book about the topic.
Use XcelTrip to travel to Tromso, with hotel
prices as low as 0.00839 BTC at the Smarthotel Tromso to make memories that
last a lifetime.
Comments
Post a Comment