Five museums you should visit in Ålesund !
Ålesund is undeniably a rich mix of culture and history. The town has many marks of influences from the Viking times in the region and from its fishing industry that helped the whole area to develop further, while embracing the special German Art Nouveau architecture that is now filling the streets since the fire in 1904. For that reason, the diversity of its culture is absolutely wild. I warmly invite you to discover the different museums here around wether they are inside or outside, historical or more cultural, about the past or contemporary.
1. Jugendstil senteret and KUBE
This is probably the most famous museum in town, lying in front of the Hellebroa bridge (broa means bridge in Norwegian). Because the Art Nouveau movement was so big around 1890, it influenced many countries worldwide and is the reason why we can find several ways of saying it. “Jugendstil” (“the young style” in German) refers to the German branch of the Art Nouveau movement. As Kaiser Wilhelm II sent a lot of help from Germany to rebuild the town after “Bybrannen” (the city fire) in 1904, the name stayed.
One of the major goal of the Art Nouveau movement was to break down the barrier between Fine Arts (like sculpture and painting) and Applied Arts. In this building, you will find everything you need to know about this magnificent Art style. Even the entrance room stayed exactly as it was, an Art Nouveau pharmacy interior.
In the other stone building facing this one, you will find KUBE, the Art Museum, that manages a collection with a special focus on Art related to the region. It offers several individual and collective exhibitions every year, as well as lectures, concerts and other events. A must.
2. Ålesund museum
The oldest museum in town is a bit hidden compared to the ones we were talking about before. You need to take the stairs from Kipervikgata (next to Misjonkirken buikding), go up the stairs in Korsegata (Next to Sobra scene) or go all the way up Grimmergata. Established in 1903, the city museum tells the story of how Ålesund came to life and developed from its very beginning. In this beautiful wooden yellow house you will learn more about the relationship to the fishing industry, the war history and the city fire. The museumpark in front of the building is also a nice place to hand out, with a complete point of view on the surroundings.
3. Fiskerimuseet
The Fiskerimuseet (Fish museum) is just by the Molja lighthouse on Aspøya island and shows the interesting story of fishing and fish processing in the region, with its technological development through the years. In this small and old factory that escaped the fire in 1904, not only will you be able to see a lot of tools, machines and process (for instance the drying of cod), but you will also get the amazing smell of the past.
4. Viti viking open air museum + viking boats
The Viking open air museum, that is just 10 mins drive away from the city center is probably one of my favorite place around. There, once you escaped the buildings, the view on the nature is outstanding, whatever the season you came to visit. Surrounded by magnificent giant trees and re-erected houses from ancient times, this place feels like an untouched sanctuary of the past. Walking around is completely free and you can even access the beautiful viking ships in the first buildings. A delight !
5. Khåk
A little bit further down the street, you will find the visual Art gallery, called Khåk. Here you can get in without entrance fee. Their exhibitions are always well organized and curated and often show works from local artists, but not only. The space is beautiful and the zenithal lighting allows you to see the exhibited pieces in perfect conditions.
The bonus one: Aggregat Kunst and Mottaket
Aggregat Kunstnerfellesskap is an international vibrant artistic community and counts more than 70 artists within its members coming from all over Norway, but also Netherlands, Peru, Croatia, France, etc. It’s located in the big building of the Bunnpris Torghalen supermarket in front of the dock, where the cruise ships are.
The place offers numerous courses and workshops and they organize events, festivals, concerts all year round. Last but not least, they have an exhibition space in front of the KUBE building where its members curate more than 34 exhibitions every year. If you’re interested in Art, it is without a doubt a place you want to step in.
