Scandic Ishavshotel

Another view from my hotel window as the full moon was slowly rising over a blue hour city. Here we are looking from Tromsø island, where most of the city is, towards the mainland with Tromsø's most famous landmark, the Arctic Cathedral (1965). The church is not actually a cathedral, and the Tromsø cathedral itself is a wooden building in the centre. Behind the church is a cable car to the top of Mt. Storstein. Unfortunately it was undergoing repairs when I was there, so I will have to return. Tromsø is one of the largest cities to be found north of the Arctic Circle (approx. 75000 inh). It grew up as an Arctic trade centre and it was here that people like Roald Amundsen prepared for their trip to conquer the South Pole.

[#8 on explore 24/12/16]

The arctic cathedral in blue due to the World Diabetes Day nov.14

My trip to Northern Norway was a gloomy one, with midsummer temperatures around 3-4°C, clouds, fog, rain and snow. All of this except for one brief moment when I was walking around Tromsø and saw the Arctic Cathedral light up as if in a heavenly spotlight. It was quite amazing to see and I actually had to tone down the photo because the church was looking completely overexposed. The Tromsdalen church was built in 1965, and it's roof consists of aluminium coated concrete panels. The architecture reminds of icebergs and also Sami tipis, and even though it is a simple parish church, not a cathedral at all, it has grown out to be the symbol of this city at 69° latitude.

Back to Tromso now. The triangular building is the so named Arctic Cathedral

Tromsø, Norway