Alesund, which we visited on August 29, 2025, is one of my favorite Norwegian cities. Last time we visited, on a cruise three years ago, we drove the Trollstigen, a magnificent road which snakes up a cliff, with views far down into the valley below. This time, we visited areas surrounding Alesund, including Giske Island, the Alnes Lighthouse, and the Sonnemore Folk Museum.
Alesund was our first stop in Norway, after visiting Scotland and the Atlantic Islands. We then sailed north to the Svalbard islands, off the north coast of Norway.
On Giske Island, we visited St. Olaf's Church, which dates back to the 1200s.
A church volunteer described the history of the church, including the artwork portraying Bible scenes which was added in the 1700s.
We sat in the church pews as we listened.
The cemetery around the church was fascinating. I asked why so many of the last names on the gravestones were "Giske". Our guide said people used to take the name of their town as their last name, regardless of who they were related to.
We visited the Alnes Lighthouse, built in 1853 in the fishing town of Alnes. I climbed up five flights of stairs to the top of the lighthouse, where I walked in a ring around the outside and looked down at beautiful vistas of the sea and mountains.
The Sonnemore Museum had a collection of Norwegian boats, including a replica of the many-oared boats used to ferry explorers to Iceland and on to America.
My favorite part of the museum was the collection of traditional Norwegian houses, many with grass growing on the roof for insulation. Some Norwegians still live in grass-topped houses.
After our tour, we walked around downtown Alesund, with its picturesque, bright-colored buildings. Alesund was rebuilt in 1912, after a fire, in Art Nouveau style.
Art Nouveau style is called Jugendstil in Norway. It is one of my favorite types of design. Dave and I spent a happy hour exploring the rooms of the Jugendstil museum.
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