Rosencrantz, Without His Guildenstern
- Virtual Traveller 86
- May 27, 2020
- 2 min read
Day Four: Country No.25
NORWAY Arrival Time: 11:55am
A flight from Latvia’s capital to Oslo takes just 35 minutes. “The essence of Norway's appeal is remarkably simple: this is one of the most beautiful countries on earth.” (Lonely Planet)
Steep-sided fjords, ice fields, glaciers, mountains and cosmopolitan cities...Norway certainly has a vast array of diverse landscape. I have wanted to visit the Scandinavian countries for decades, ever since studying some of them in A level History.
I had a quick tour of Oslo and then took the long journey up to the Lofoten Archipelago.
The Lofoten Archipelago The Lofoten Islands are draped across the turbulent waters of the Norwegian Sea. The archipelago is known for a combination of wild nature, majestic mountains, deep fjords, squawking seabird colonies, the northern lights and even long, surf-swept beaches. These islands were Viking territory and in 1981, in the small village of Borg, an 83 metre long viking dwelling was uncovered (now a museum).
I took an aerial tour...the place is STUNNING!
Lofoten archipelago
Svolaer
In the next montage:
Top right & centre of middle row: Reine
Bottom right: Svolaer
All other photos: Henningsvaer
Bergen
Heading back south I paid a visit to Bergen - a city surrounded by seven hills and seven fjords. In the middle ages it was an important seaport, part of the Hanseatic League and also Norway’s capital. The preserved wooden buildings of Bryggen are a Unesco World Heritage site. I had limited time available so after a quick wander I headed to the site of Bergenhus Festning (fortress) that sits at the waters edge.
First set of photos:
Håkonshallen i Bymuseeti Bergen (King Håkon’s Hall)
Built between 1247 and 1261 by King Håkon Håkonsson as a royal residence and banqueting hall. King Håkon’s Hall was the site of major national events, including the drawing up of Norway’s first complete set of laws. “As a national and cultural monument the Hall is still used for royal dinners and other official occasions.” (en.visitbergen.com).
Next montage:
Rosenkrantztårnet (Rosenkrantzt Tower) - and views from both sides of the harbour.
Parts of Rosenkrantztårnet (seen in top row middle photo) date from the 1270s when it was the residence of King Erik Magnusson - the last king to hold court in Bergen. After he died in 1299 it was extended and altered a number of times. The tower was built in the 1560s as a residence and fortification for Erik Rosenkrantz, the then governor of Bergen Castle (Bergenhus). It later became a prison and the cellar contains a dungeon that was “probably in use well into the 19th century.” (en.visitbergen.com).
I would love to spend more time exploring this beautiful country but if I am going to make it to country number 26 I best dash.
“Taxi!”
Departing Norway at 1:10pm
Sources:
https://www.airpano.com/360photo/Lofoten-Norway-Svolvaer/ https://www.airpano.com/360photo/Lofoten-Norway/
google earth
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