12/27/2022 0 Comments Northern lights location![]() ![]() In addition to the Sunday services, the church also hosts regular piano concerts and even a monthly ‘language cafe' aimed at students and other new arrivals to Alta, so it has quickly become an important building for the community. I imagine it has more impact in the winter! While I wouldn't recommend a trip to the exhibition on its own, it's worthwhile if you're visiting the cathedral and are curious about the lights. That said, there's a couple of fun exhibits, one involving singing to the lights and watching the result. Maybe it's just because it was 31C on the day I visited (yes, really) but reading about the northern lights at the height of summer didn't really do it for me.įor someone new to Norway and/or who hasn't seen the aurora borealis before, this exhibition would be a worthwhile visit. The marble baptismal font also uses blue, with a clear glass basin featuring an inlaid Star of Bethlehem and golden fish.Īs impressive as the church is inside, it doesn't keep an atheist's attention for longer than a couple of minutes, so with that, I headed downstairs to a recent addition… The northern lights exhibitionĪn additional 50kr gets you entrance to an interactive exhibition about the northern lights called Borealis Alta. And it does – my eyes were immediately drawn to it as soon as I entered the room. The alter wall is treated with a blue glaze meant to highlight the 4.3-metre-tall bronze sculpture of Christ. ![]() The lights are only lit during church services, but the structure is always in place to take a look at. ![]() The light tower pictured above mimics the design of the exterior, and was made locally in Alta. There are two church bells, both cast in Tønsberg here in Norway. The impressive organ has 29 stops and 1,800 pipes. This was immediately apparant upon entering as some kid was playing the piano – pretty well I might add. The vertical moulding strips with LED lights behind them create an impressive visual effect, a warm atmosphere, and help with the acoustics. The floor, chairs and mouldings are all made of oak. I'd been told the interior was sparse and while that's true, it's far from dull. On my first visit to Alta I couldn't go inside as it didn't coincide with the cathedral's opening hours. That, together with the circular shape, helps to create something reminiscent of nature's greatest light show. But that's personal preference and from asking around, it's clear that plenty of people love it!Ĭonsecrated in 2013, the building is made of concrete with an external cladding of shimmering titanium sheets. I love the idea of the architecture, I just don't really like the end result. It's super easy to find, and there's plenty of parking right outside. The cathedral (which is actually the primary Parish church for Alta) is in the modern city centre at the end of the main shopping street. It might look like a factory (some say crematorium!) from the outside, but step inside this northern lights inspired church in northern Norway and it really leaves an impression. The striking architecture of Alta's incredible Northern Lights Cathedral splits opinion, but everyone loves the interior. ![]()
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