Hammerfest claims the title of world's northernmost town, sitting at 70 degrees north with market rights granted as early as 1789. In 1891 it became the first town in Norway to install electric street lighting, powered by hydroelectricity, making it a pioneer at the edge of the Arctic.
The town was completely destroyed twice. A fire devastated Hammerfest in 1890, and the rebuilding had barely settled before German forces burned the entire town during the scorched earth retreat of 1944, when nearly every structure in Finnmark was razed. The Museum of Reconstruction for Finnmark and Northern Troms documents this systematic destruction and the massive effort to rebuild from nothing. It is one of the most important WWII museums in Northern Norway.
Hammerfest has a peculiar claim to fame: the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society, housed in the tourist office building. For 402 kroner you can become a lifetime member and receive a certificate, an ID card, a pin, and access to two rooms of polar bear memorabilia, including a stuffed bear for photo opportunities. The irony is that no polar bear has been seen anywhere near Hammerfest for centuries.
Most visitors arrive on the Hurtigruten and spend two to three hours exploring. The Salen lookout, a 15-minute walk from the town hall, gives a panoramic view across the town, the Arctic Sea, and the industrial island of Melkøya across the harbour.
The town was completely destroyed twice. A fire devastated Hammerfest in 1890, and the rebuilding had barely settled before German forces burned the entire town during the scorched earth retreat of 1944, when nearly every structure in Finnmark was razed. The Museum of Reconstruction for Finnmark and Northern Troms documents this systematic destruction and the massive effort to rebuild from nothing. It is one of the most important WWII museums in Northern Norway.
Hammerfest has a peculiar claim to fame: the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society, housed in the tourist office building. For 402 kroner you can become a lifetime member and receive a certificate, an ID card, a pin, and access to two rooms of polar bear memorabilia, including a stuffed bear for photo opportunities. The irony is that no polar bear has been seen anywhere near Hammerfest for centuries.
Most visitors arrive on the Hurtigruten and spend two to three hours exploring. The Salen lookout, a 15-minute walk from the town hall, gives a panoramic view across the town, the Arctic Sea, and the industrial island of Melkøya across the harbour.