Arctic Cathedral, Tromso

The Arctic cathedral in Tromsø stood out amongst the smaller houses surrounding it and was visible long before we approached the bridge to cross over to the mainland. The unusual shape representing the shape of a Sami (the people who tend the reindeer) tent and the iciness of a glacier was built in 1965 on a site that was originally a bunker, being close to Russia they were prepared. The huge white walls form an A shape and there are windows at both ...
...remembering this is in the Arctic circle, which is the land of the Midnight sun, was so bright that the congregation had to wear sunglasses and the minister couldn't tell whether people were awake or not! The pews, made of oak had the most comfortable leather pads on both the seats and the backs, so I could imagine dropping off to sleep would be possible, where as the Church of Scotland church I attend the hard upright pews are so uncomfortable you ... more

The Arctic cathedral in Tromsø stood out amongst the smaller houses surrounding it and was visible long before we approached the bridge to cross over to the mainland. The unusual shape representing the shape of a Sami (the people who tend the reindeer) tent and the iciness of a glacier was built in 1965 on a site that was originally a bunker, being close to Russia they were prepared. The huge white walls form an A shape and there are windows at both ends of the building. The walls are 11 pieces of concrete covered with Aluminium, which represent the 11 apostles left after the betrayal of Christ. Between the wall sections is glass which lets light into the church, supplying much of the inside light in the church, especially during the midnight sun season.

With the mountain behind covered in trees it stood out well, but when the snow is lower down the mountain, I don't think it would have such a beautiful back drop. It was designed by Jan Inge and the Norwegian name is Ishavskatedralen.

The window at the door entrance side of the church was plain glass and there was a huge white cross on the outside, the organ was raised high above the seats in the window and was quite spectacular. The other window is a huge stained glass window made by Victor Sparre and is 75feet high. It depicts the second coming. Originally this was a plain glass window, but the story we were told was that the sun, remembering this is in the Arctic circle, which is the land of the Midnight sun, was so bright that the congregation had to wear sunglasses and the minister couldn't tell whether people were awake or not! The pews, made of oak had the most comfortable leather pads on both the seats and the backs, so I could imagine dropping off to sleep would be possible, where as the Church of Scotland church I attend the hard upright pews are so uncomfortable you would have difficulty sleeping. The altar was quite plain and apart from the beautiful prism lamps representing ice there wasn't very much in the way of decorations.

The cathedral is open June -mid August from 9am until 7pm and from mid August until May from 4 -6pm. There was an entrance fee but as we were on a trip it was included, I think it was about 30Krone, which is about £3. At the rear of the church a few booklets and postcards were on sale.

I decided to use the toilets which were situated downstairs and discovered what it would have been like using the bunker, as you had to step over the metal frame where the huge door could seal off the outside area.

It is quite easy to reach even if you aren't on an organised excursion, it takes about 10 minutes to walk from town centre over the Tromsøbrua bridge, or you can catch a bus 26 in direction Hungeren, 27 and 28 in direction Sollien. There are organ concerts in July at 2pm which cost 60Krone and sometimes there are Midnight sun concerts which are more expensive.

There was plenty of parking for coaches and the lawns around the cathedral are well tended, and it was possible to walk around the building. It really is a parish church and not a cathedral as we understand the name to be.

Even with coach loads of people I found the church to have a wonderful feel, not dark and dreary but light and up-lifting and a place I would like to worship in. Well worth spending some time to visit if you are in Tromsø.

Also on Dooyoo under my name jo@145
 

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