Posts Tagged Things to see
Roald Amundsen’s birthplace, Borge
Posted by admin in History and architecture on February 21, 2011
A great place to visit for anyone interested in one of Norway’s most famous sons – polar explorer Roald Amundsen. This is the house where he was born, the youngest of four brothers, on 16 July 1872. His family, which owned this farm and several others in the area, lived here for generations, and this place in Borge played a significant part in Amundsen’s upbringing. As a child the future explorer spent many a holiday here, watching the ships ply the River Glomma, already harbouring dreams of travelling to the far corners of the world. His childhood home has been preserved just like it was when Roald Amundsen lived there.
There is a cafe and a souvenir shop in the barn next door, which also houses a small conference centre. Guided tours in Norwegian, English and German every weekend during the summer (May to Aug), private tours can be arranged the rest of the year. Book via the tourist office in Fredrikstad (tel: 69 30 46 00)
Framveien 7, Torp (along Rv111 between Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg). Tel: 69 34 83 26, www.roaldamundsenminne.no (Norwegian only)
Gamlebyen Model Railway, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on January 14, 2011
It boasts three kilometres of tracks, 110 locomotives, 600 carriages/wagons and some 3,000 buildings spread out over an area of 270 square metres. The Gamlebyen Model Railway has become one of Fredrikstad’s most popular attractions, welcoming over 9,000 visitors since opening in September 2010. The project is the labour of love of a local journalist turned businessman, who bought the building in the Old Town a few years ago to house what he hoped would one day become Scandinavia’s largest model railway. And although Arne Børresen had to borrow 9 million Norwegian kroner to finance his venture (an investment that will take a while to recoup), Gamlebyen Model Railway has struck a chord among rail enthusiasts of all ages. Plans for extension are afloat, which will almost double the size of the operation – and turn Arne Børresen’s dream into a reality. So watch this space.
You will find pictures of the Gamlebyen Model Railway at www.gbmj.no (Norwegian only).
Voldgaten 8, Gamlebyen, Fredrikstad. Open weekends only, Sat 11am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm. Admission 30Kr.
University College Østfold by Reiulf Ramstad Architects
Posted by admin in History and architecture on December 6, 2010
Top 5: Norwegian architects (new talent)
Posted by admin in History and architecture on December 6, 2010
Norway is an exciting destination for anyone interested in modern architecture. An increasing number of talented Norwegian architects are getting noticed for their daring and stunning buildings. Here are a few names to look out for:
- Snøhetta: Probably the most famous Norwegian architect firm today, with cutting edge projects both at home (the Oslo Opera among them) and abroad (Alexandria Library in Egypt and the National 11 September Memorial and Museum in NYC). Newly commissioned to redesign Times Square in NYC. www.snoarc.no
- Helen & Hard: The firm behind the Norwegian pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, the new Preikestolen mountain lodge (part of the Norwegian Wood project, a project aiming to promote modern environment-friendly wooden architecture) and the Geopark in Stavanger, an open air activity area designed in collaboration with some of the city’s youths. www.hha.no
- Jensen & Skodvin Architects: This talented team’s recent projects include the Juvet Landscape Hotel (the recipient of Innovation Norway’s product of the year award 2010) and the viewing platform at Gudbrandsjuvet in Norway (nominated for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe award in 2009). Other buildings of note include the Tautra Maria Convent near Trondheim (completed in 2006) are the Mortensrud Church in Oslo (1998). www.jsa.no
- Lund & Slaatto: Striking bridges, big modern offices and public buildings and a few very modern religious buildings have ensured the success of this firm, which has won many prizes over the years, most recently for the environment-friendly Pilestredet Park in Oslo, and the Svinesund Bridge over the Iddefjord between Norway and Sweden. www.lsa.no
- Reiulf Ramstad Architects: The team behind the stunning Trollveggen service centre and lookout platform along the Trollstigen tourist route has also completed a few projects in Østfold, including the Inside Out Summerhouse and Halden University College (pictured above). www.reiulframstadarkitekter.no
The Bjørnstad Ship
Posted by admin in History and architecture on November 13, 2010
At 4.5m long and almost 1m high, the Bjørnstad Ship (Bjørnstadskipet) is an impressive sight, gracing a big vertical rock face a short walk from Haugeveien in Skjeberg, just outside Sarpsborg. This is one of the largest single Bronze Age rock carvings to have been found in Europe. It is flanked by two smaller ships on each side. The small vertical marks on the ship represent the crew, while the big figures at each end carry weapons (and might represent gods). People in the Bronze Age were used to travel, and the rock carvings show how important ships were to them as a means of transportation – as well as for fishing.
How to get there: The Bjørnstad Ship can be found by Haugeveien. Follow Fv583 through Skjeberg, about 3.5km from Hafslund Chapel. The exit towards the car park is signed from the road. From there it’s a 500m walk along a signed path.
Kongsten Fort, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in History and architecture on November 9, 2010
It was general Caspar de Cicignon, originally from Luxembourg, who planned, drew and built Kongsten (literally ‘The King’s Stone’) as a frontline fortress to defend the fortified town of Fredrikstad (today’s Gamlebyen). Construction was completed in 1685. One of the fort’s distinctive features were the hidden ‘kasematts’ – underground shelters for the army personnel – connected to shooting platforms along the outer walls. A novelty at the time, the kasematts soon caught the attention of leading architects and fortress builders on the continent, who travelled from all over Europe to take a look at them.
In addition to the kasematts, Kongsten also had a depot for gunpowder, grain and guns, a well, barracks, and the live-in-house of the fortress’ commanding officer (complete with a working bakery oven in the basement). A sheltered (underground) road also used to lead from the fortress to the fortified town.
The fortress is still more or less as de Cicignon built it in 1685. It was in use in WW2, but in 1947 it was put under the protection and supervision of Fredrikstad Museum. For several years it served as the city’s official banqueting hall. Today Kongsten is used for open air theatre performances in summer, and as a popular recreational grounds by locals – the fortress’s strategic location on a hill means it affords good views of the surrounding area.
Straddling the Glomma in Askim
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on October 19, 2010
