Alta, Norway

Today's Visit took us to:


1. The Cathedral of Northern Lights

2.  The Alta Museum - World Heritage Rock Art Centre


First stop was the Cathedral of the Northern Lights.  The modern church was built in a circular style in 2013.  The building was constructed of concrete and wood with external cladding of titanium sheets. The exterior central feature is its large spiral with belfry.  However it is the interior lighting that is so noteworthy.  The vertical moulding strips with LED lights behind them create an impressive visual effect, a warm atmosphere, and help with the acoustics.





Although His body seems disproportionate, I love how Jesus is gazing heavenward towards the lights


  Looking towards the back of the church 




Representing Jacob's Ladder

a ladder leading to heaven that was featured in a dream the biblical Patriarch Jacob had during his flight from his brother Esau in the Book of Genesis (chapter 28).

The significance of the dream has been debated, but most interpretations agree that it identified Jacob with the obligations and inheritance of the people chosen by God, as understood in Abrahamic religions.




Alta Museum - both indoor and outdoor exhibits.  We encountered quite the rain storm but Bob had an umbrella and I my rain jacket so we weren't deterred.

World Heritage Rock Art - Alta Museum is situated in Hjemmeluft, a small bay in the Altafjord at a site of early settlement of Finnmark dating from around 11,000 years ago.  In 1973, the first rock carvings in Hjemmeluft were found. To date over 3,000 figures have been registered here. In the municipality as a whole over 6000 figures have been registered.

The museum opened in June 1991 and won the European Museum of the Year Award in 1993.

Nearly all of the Rock Art of Alta is found on rock surfaces which are in situ. Except for a few cases of carvings on loose boulders, all of the rock art is found on the bedrock and is exceptionally well-preserved. About 30% of the carvings were covered by turf up to the time of their discovery and have not been significantly damaged since.  Some of the rock carvings along the walkways have been painted red to make them easier to see. This practice is continually under discussion as it compromises the conditions of authenticity.













Just fun benches in the center of the Alta City echoing viking ship designs















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