Today we have a classical church, in a somewhat peaceful setting. But there is another national element nearby. See if you can put two and two together to make sense out of this Mystery Photo.
Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.: “Port of Alesund, Norway. The prominent building located high above the port is the Fjellstua Cafe and Viewpoint on the Aksla hill.”
Three others recognized the photo. George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; and Erin Hart, Duluth, who added: “It is a delightful small town on the coast, and an excellent base for a day trip into the fjords. Travelers to Norway should be sure to include Alesund on their itinerary. It was a wonderful trip beginning in Trondheim and ending in Oslo. What a beautiful and interesting country!”
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas, added: “Alesund, is approximately 230 miles northwest of Norway’s capital city, Oslo. The mountain in the background is Mount Aksla, which rises roughly 620 feet above sea level. The white building at the summit of the mountain is the Fjellstua Restaurant, also known as Fjellstua 418, a historic restaurant and café that focuses on traditional Norwegian cuisine sourced from local ingredients.
“Why is this restaurant also called “Fjellstua 418”? Look carefully at the photo, and you will see a pathway leading up the steep mountain face to the left of the white building. These are actually called the Aksla Stairs, which consist of 418 steps that lead from the Town Park to Fjellstua 418. It is a popular hike for locals and tourists alike to use as a strenuous exercise and to access the summit … to be ultimately rewarded for their efforts with spectacular panoramic views of the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, the Sunnmøre Alps, and the surrounding islands…and of course…some fantastic Norwegian seafood in the restaurant.
“For those having difficulty locating the Aksla Stairs in the photo, I have attached an annotated version that highlights where these steps and pathway are located.”
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