Railways in Europe
Oulu is one of the largest cities in Finland. It has long been an important industrial center, specializing in advanced electronic technologies and laboratory industries. The population of Oulu is approximately 215,000. Like many other Finnish cities, Oulu’s old buildings were almost entirely destroyed by fire (1822). The city was rebuilt according to the design …
Vaasa is a city with over 70,000 inhabitants. It was founded in 1606, but nearly all of its buildings were destroyed in the great fire of 1852. The rebuilt city was relocated 7 kilometers from its original location. From 1862, the city was called Nikolaistad in honor of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. The main …
Turku is the second-largest city in Finland. For a long time, it was the country’s capital until the capital was moved to Helsinki in 1812. In 1827, most of the city was destroyed by a great fire. The city center was rebuilt in a neoclassical style, modeled after St. Petersburg. Architecturally, Turku is not considered …
Trondheim is the northernmost large city in Norway. It was founded in 997 by Olaf Tryggvason as Nidaros and served as the capital of Viking Norway until 1217. During the Middle Ages, it was the site of Norwegian royal coronations. The name Nidaros was used until the Danish conquest of Norway, after which it was …
The fourth-largest city in Norway, with a population of around 150,000. It is the capital of the Rogaland administrative region. The first significant event in the city’s history was the establishment of a bishopric in 1125. Soon after, Bishop Reinald of Winchester began the construction of the cathedral. For centuries, the city was a center …
Bergen was for centuries the most important city in Norway. Today, with a population of around 270,000, life in the city still revolves around the port. Although Bergen eventually lost the competition to Oslo as Norway’s primary administrative center, it is widely regarded as the cultural capital of the country, with cultural events taking place …
Røros is a town of wooden buildings where you can travel back in time. The town was founded in 1614, when copper deposits were discovered in the area. According to legend, a local farmer went hunting, shot a reindeer, and as the animal fell, it uncovered a rock that glittered in the sunlight. Just two …
The small town (28,000 residents) became world-famous in 1994 when it hosted the Winter Olympic Games. Lillehammer was granted city rights in 1827, and before the Olympics, it was a quiet, sleepy town that was virtually unknown to tourists. Today, day trips from Oslo to Lillehammer—located on the shores of Lake Mjøsa—are popular. The ski …
Read more “Lillehammer – 5 Top Attractions and Things To Do”
Hamar is a not large town (with just under 30,000 residents) located on the shores of Lake Mjøsa, the largest lake in Norway. Hamar is an important railway hub. Architecturally, the town is fairly average, but it has several tourist attractions that may interest visitors. Main Sights and Attractions Hamar Railway Station is one of …
Oslo is the oldest capital in Scandinavia. It was founded in 1048 by Harald III Hardrada, though settlements in the area of the present-day city existed as early as the 9th century. In the second half of the 11th century, a bishopric was established in Oslo, and a cathedral was built. At that time, however, …