Bodø

27 July 2002, 12:30 - 15:00

Bodø is a large town, with 38,000 inhabitants, and more than 1,000 students attending the colleges of higher education. Bodø is also a young town. It became a trading centre in 1816, and grew rapidly during the 1860s and 1870s when there were plenty of herring fish off the coast. Meanwhile various fishing-related industries were established, but also more independent industries. Although a trading centre, it wasn't until just before World War II that Bodø became accessible by road from the south - a road that was closed during winter as late as into the 1980s. After the war the airport and the railway 'Nordlandsbanen' was built.

Outside Bodø you can watch fast flowing water, in Saltstraumen. It is a 3 kilometres long strait where tidal water passes four times a day. 372 million cubic metres of water are forced through the strait each time, pressed through the most narrow part - just 150 metres wide - with a speed of up to 29 kilometres an hour. It is not recommended to take a bath here, but it is a good place for fishing. Other places for tourists are the medieval stone church that dates from around 1200, the Norwegian Aviation Museum and the Nordland Museum displaying life for fishermen as well as townspeople and sami people. From the Rønvik Mountain, 155 metres high, there is a marvellous view. On the island Kjerringøy you can visit an old trading post that is well preserved. Just to mention a few of the things you can do here.

1 Arriving at Bodø	2 Bodø Church	3 Bodø Chruch
4 Bodø Church	5 Leaving Bodø