Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dedicated to preserving Hammerfest culture, the Royal & Ancient Polar Bear Society
(founded in 1963) features exhibits on Arctic hunting and local history and shares
premises with the tourist office. For Nkr180, you can become a life member, and get a cer-
tificate, ID card, sticker and pin. At times, the link to polar bears here can feel a little tenu-
ous. But if you think of the place in terms of the Norwegian name (Isbjørklubben, simply
Polar Bear Club), you're less likely to be disappointed.
Membership (there are around 250,000 members worldwide) entitles you to attend the
annual general meeting of the society in January. And not everyone can join, it seems. In
1973, one Elvis Presley wrote to the society asking to join, but his application was refused
- to become a member, one must be physically present in Hammerfest.
If simple membership is not enough, for Nkr220, you also receive a schnapps glass and
get dubbed with the large bone from a walrus's penis. Honestly. It's well worth the extra
for the conversation this unique honour will generate down the pub, once you're home.
One of the exhibits covers Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm, a Hammerfest-born cook who ac-
companied Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen (among others) and ended up travelling
on more polar expeditions that any other person on earth, great explorers included. The
town has plans to erect a statue of Lindstrøm in time for the 150th anniversary of his birth
in 2016.
Hammerfest Kirke
CHURCH
7.15am-3pm Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm Sat, noon-1pm Sun mid-
Jun-mid-Aug)
The design of Hammerfest's contemporary church, consecrated in 1961, was inspired by
the racks used for drying fish in the salty sea air all across northern Norway. Behind the al-
tar, the glorious stained-glass window positively glows in the summer sun, while the
wooden frieze along the organ gallery depicts highlights of the town's history. The chapel
in the cemetery across the street is the only building in town to have survived WWII.
Gjenreisningsmuseet
MUSEUM
Jan free;
10am-4pm early Jun-late-Aug, 10am-2pm Mon-Fri, 11am-2pm Sat & Sun rest of year)
