Alesund, Norway: A Fairytale Land Where Nature and Art Intertwine

Norway is a country located on the western end of the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The Atlantic Ocean's embrace has given it the world-famous fjord landscape. Especially in southern Norway, the fjords are scattered like stars, and every city shines with this unique natural beauty, especially the big cities like Oslo and Bergen. To the west of the south, there is a place called Storijord, where a quiet town called Alesund is hidden by the inland sea. Although it is little known, it has a fairytale-like scenery that makes people fall in love at first sight. Alesund is an important port city in Norway, facing the mouth of the famous Geirangerfjord, located at the westernmost end of the peninsula, connected to three offshore islands, where culture and nature blend perfectly, full of legendary colors. This small town has only 40,000 local residents, and its superior geographical location has given birth to a developed marine industry, with oil, shipbuilding, and fishing thriving. The cod produced here accounts for one-fourth of the world's total. From ancient times to the present, trade and port industries have flourished, and it is still the largest fishing port in Norway. The history of Alesund can be traced back to the mid-15th century. Today, it is surrounded by the sea, fjords, islands, and mountains, like a baby curled up in the arms of nature, quiet and beautiful. There are not many pedestrians in the city, and the years are quiet, making people reluctant to leave. In the city center, a river winds through, with magnificent Art Nouveau buildings lined up on both sides. The brick and stone structures are bright and concise, with blue-gray roofs and colorful exterior walls. The rare wooden houses in Northern Europe are hard to find here, but they have the charm of German cities. Alesund is an "atypical" Norwegian city. In the early 20th century, a fire destroyed the old city. During the reconstruction with German aid, the "Art Nouveau" style, which was popular in Germany at the time, was adopted. The unique style and temperament came from this, and it was also called the "Art Nouveau Capital." Walking on the streets, there are beautiful scenery everywhere, with shops, restaurants, and museums lined up, showing the new look after "rebirth from the ashes." The international Art Nouveau style and the original Norwegian environment blend perfectly, which can be described as "a blessing in disguise." The Aksla Hill behind the city is nearly 200 meters above sea level. Climbing more than 400 steps will take you to the observation deck, where you can overlook the beautiful scenery of mountains, sea, and sky in 360 degrees. Nearby, the city buildings and streets are neat and orderly, like building blocks; in the distance, the magnificent fjords and green mountains stretch endlessly, and the scenery is intoxicating. The evening in Alesund is the most charming. The sunset dyes the floating clouds red, putting a golden coat on the colorful spire houses. The breeze wrinkles the calm sea, and a picturesque scenery comes into view. At this time, people's hearts seem to be hit, as if they have entered a fairytale world.