What to do and see in Alesund, Western Norway: The Best Churches & Cathedrals

Ellingsoy Church was consecrated the 31st of August 1998, and is designed by the architect Oscar Norderval. The church is idyllically situated in Slotsvika, with a fjord view of islands and skerries. It is stretching upwards with a special roof construction, viewing God's heaven. Some may look upon the building as hands, gathering their finger tips at the top and covering the parish protectively. Other may remember the meeting tent carried by the Israelits throug the desert. The beautiful church art in Ellingsoy Church, created by the artist Hakon Gullvag, consists of a hanging cube in the middle of the church room. This is telling about the incidents of the Bible - the past. At the front is the priest and the altar, representing the present, and at the wall behind the altar is the circle with Jesus collecting souls to Heaven.

Borgund Church is situated in the old trading community Borgundkaupangen, and is partially built on the remains of the old St. Peter's Church from the 12th century. Most parts of today's church are from 1904, with lovely carvings by Nicolai Mejdel og Hans Johannessen. Borgund Church can seat 650 people. The church was reconstructed after a fire in 1904, but they chose to keep the roman style. Parts of the church originate from the St. Peter's Church, which was built in the 12th century. There was several extentions made between 1632 -1868. Notice the beautiful carved interior, made by Nicolai Mejdel and HansJohannessen, Lars Kinsarvik, Lerdal, Johansen and Johannes Rykken. Study the stone altar from the Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages, the trading community in Borgundkaupangen had three churches, and hidden under the ground on the way to Borgund Animal Club, lies the remains of a marble church, Kirstkyrkja. This has probably been a cathedral. Several burial mounds from the Middle Ages have also been discovered in the area around Katevagen. When arranged visits at Borgund church are requested, please contact the church office in advance to make an appointment. This in order to avoid funerals, weddings etc.

Volsdalen Church is situated in alesund, and is a modern church from 1974. The church was designed by Leif Olav Moen, and can seat 500 people. Volsdalen Church has got several lovely colourful stained glass windows, made by Franz Widerberg. The altar piece by Widerberg is a painting in three parts, and the font in Norwegian shale was designed by the church's architect.

In Spjelkavik Church, you have the opportunity to see the phantastic glass paintings of the famous Norwegian artist Hakon Bleken. Spjelkavik Church has six angles, and is circled by a series of glass windows, 16 on each wall. With 16 windows on six walls there are 96 glass windows, each of about one square metre.

The first church that was built where alesund Church lies today, was designed by Heinrich Schrimer, and constructed in 1854. This church was damaged in the Town Fire in 1904, even though it was built in brick. The present alesund Church was designed by Sverre Knudsen, and the first stone was laid down by King Haakon the 7th in July 1906. The church was inaugurated in 1909, and was built in concrete, and dressed with marble from Northern More. The frescoes and beautiful stained glass windows were made by Martin Enevold Thomt and Oddvar Straume, and the glass gable windows behind the organ were a gift from the German Kaiser Wilhelm II. The font is made from Italian marble, and the church has got three bells of various sizes. The organ has got 64 tunes, and is one of the largest in Norway. The church is usualy closed on monday and saturday, unless there is a cruise ship in town. Except under wedding ceremonies. Also, the church is closed for tourist before and during funerals.

The Catholic Church has mass at these times: Sundays at 11.00. Second Saturday a month at 13.00 (please call in advance, not July/August), Wednesdays at 18.00 (not July/August).The third Thursday of the month at 12.00 (not July/August), and the first Friday every month at 18.00 (not July/August).