Alesund's dramatic history:
The town is young at heart, but with an unusually dramatic story to tell. One stormy night a hundred years ago, the whole town centre burned to the ground. Only a few houses survived the devastation in 1904, and ten thousand people were made homeless.
A new town rose phoenix-like from the ashes – in the distinctive Art Nouveau style with myriad turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation, like something from a fairytale. Visitors can learn more about the architecture of Alesund at Jugendstilsenteret, located in the old Swan Pharmacy from 1907. The centre is both a museum and a national centre of Art Nouveau.
Today, the town is an attractive destination for visitors from Norway and abroad. Alesund is a modern, pulsating town with a varied cultural scene and exciting cafés and restaurants.
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