Harstad

28 July 2002, 06:45 - 08:00

Harstad is a large town with 23,000 inhabitants, and a wide spectrum of industries. Fishing and shipping industries, of course, but also dairy and meat processing industries.

Harstad, as lots of fishing villages along the northern coast of Norway, flourished in the late 1800s when there were plenty of herring. In 1904 Harstad acquired town status.

Among the interesting places to visit in the area are Trondenes church, built around 1250 on the site of the former court and the seat of the chieftain. Remnants from the medieval church yard wall shows that the site was then fortified towards the sea.

A more modern fortification became operational in May 1943 - the so called 'Adolf' guns. To defend the large coastal towns of Narvik and Tromsø the German occupying forces constructed large batteries at Trondenes and Engeløya. Today the four 40.6 cm guns in Trondenes are the only ones of their kind still existing. The guns were built for battleships, and had a maximum range of 56 kilometres. Up to seven rounds per minute could be shot, with hard work by the 68 men manning the gun

1

2

3