Tromsø - Norway - page 386

Brun, is a copy of one within Bragernes church in Drammen. Built by Claus
Jensen in 1863, the organ was one of his largest works. In 1944 the church was
at the center of history when it was used by evacuees during the Nazi-enforced
evacuation of Finnmark and Northern Troms. In 1994 the church was restored
and returned to its original colors.
Storgata 25. & 77-66-25-80. Free admission. Tues-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-2pm.
Tromsø Museum Built in the 1960s, and associated with the Univer-
sity of Tromsø, this museum sprawls over three floors and addresses various
aspects of natural science (including loads of information on the ecology,
botany, geology, and zoology of Norway's far north). There are also exhibits
about the Sami people and some very interesting exhibits about the cultural his-
tory of Norway's far north. Many of the exhibitions are kid-friendly, especially a
life-size dinosaur that kids can enter and explore. Our favorite exhibit contains
Norwegian church art crafted between the Middle Ages and the 17th century—
at least the little bits of it that remain, since so much of it was burnt during the
Norwegian Reformation. The church artworks that are on display in the
museum escaped destruction during the Reformation because they were kept in
church basements and outbuildings, considered less valuable than the works that
were actually on display in churches. Many of the pieces on exhibition here are
“carpenter baroque” altarpieces and large-scale crucifixes either made in private
workshops in Tromsø or bought and shipped up north from faraway Bergen by
German Hanseatic traders. The museum also contains a device (one of only two
in the world, they say) that emulates, planetarium-style, the northern lights for
which the region is famous.
Note that the gift shop in the lobby here is especially interesting, with accu-
rate copies of Viking jewelry that are a lot better than what's sold in some of the
town's tourist shops.
Lars Thoringsvei 10. & 77-64-50-00. Admission 30NOK ($4.25) adults, 15NOK ($2.15) students and chil-
dren 7-18, free for children under 7. Mid-Sept to mid-May Mon-Fri 9am-3:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm; mid-
May to mid-June and mid-Aug to mid-Sept Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm; mid-June to mid-Aug daily
9am-8pm.

Kids

5 Outdoor Activities
In the wilds of north Norway, walking and especially summer hiking is all the
rage, both by locals and visitors. In the environs of Tromsø, there are more than
100km (62 miles) of trails cut across the mountains. The best hiking trail begins
right at the upper station of the cable car, Fjellheisen (p. 384).
For more extensive hiking, including overnight trips, you need to contact
Troms TRurlag-DNT ( & 77-68-51-75; www.turistforeningen.no), which
organizes tours with stopovers. On offer are mountain cabins, staffed lodges,
and self-service huts with provisions such as freeze-dried dinners.
Our favorite trail is through the rugged peaks of the Lyngen Alps , form-
ing the spine of the Lyngen Peninsula, with its glaciated terrain, lying to the east
of Tromsø. Arm yourself with a good map from the tourist office before setting
out. From the eastern banks of the Lyngenfjord, stretching for 150km (93
miles), you'll enjoy panoramic views in all directions. Mountaineers climb the
highest peak, the Jiekkevarre at 1,833m (6,013 ft.).
Tromsø Villmarkssenter ( & 77-69-60-02 ), lies 20km (12 miles) west of the
center of Tromsø. This outfitter organizes the best tours in the area, giving you
a real close-up experience with nature in the north. Glacier walking, mountain