The Belle Epoque in Europe
Norway
Ålesund
Ålesund which received municipal rights in 1848 essentially extends over the islands Nørvøy, Apsøy and Heissa. Today, there live about 40,000 people. The town was called after the sound between Nørvøy und Apsøy. In 19th Century, it evolved into one of the largest fishing ports of Norway and the largest port of drying fish world-wide.
During the night of 22/23 January 1904, the disaster happened: A fire broke out, the narrow city built from wood nearly entirely burned down: 800 houses were destroyed, 10,000 people displaced. But help came quickly from all directions, especially from Germany on instruction of the Scandinavia lover, emperor William II, who used to spend his holidays in Norway.
In the evening of 23rd January already, ships left Hamburg and Bremen loaded with goods and necessities. Within three years, the city had been rebuilt, and mostly, the predominant architectural style of the time was used. So, as every cloud has a silver lining, today we enjoy that Ålesund consists nearly entirely of buildings in Art Nouveau style merged with national elements. And in return for the Kaiser's help, the people named a street after him, the Keiser-Wilhelms-Gate.
Trondheim
Customs Office
Tromsø
More Art Nouveau of Norway can be found at arc! nouveau
