Hammerfest

This town has the distinction of being the most northern town in Norway and probably in all of Europe.  There are other Norwegian communities further north, but Hammerfest vigorously argues they are too small to qualify as towns.

We stopped here for an hour an a half which was more than enough time to take in all the sights.

Hammerfest Kirke, the church that was consecrated in 1961.  It was designed to symbolise the large racks used to dry and preserve the arctic char caught in nearby waters.

The church from higher up, from the lookout point.

Stain glass windows inside.

The incongruously named Royal & Ancient Polar Bear Society to which entrance is free.  It dedicates itself to the preservation of northern culture and it has great exhibits not only of polar bears but other photos, stories and exhibits concerning hunting and life in the arctic and the many creatures living there.

The colourful music rotunda.

Mural depicting rap dancers on one of the city buildings.

On the way to Hammerfest, the boat sailed past the large gas plant at Melkoya Island. The gas is piped in directly along the ocean bed and then compressed and liquefied here.  Ongoing natural gas exploration off the coast here has brought a lot of energy-types to the town, which is turn has caused hotel rates to rise prohibitively in laid-back Hammerfest.