The picturesque Art Nouveau town of Ålesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the sea, and is situated at the very entrance to the world heritage listed Geirangerfjord. The town is also an excellent starting point for round trips to some of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions. Ålesund is internationally renowned for its unique architecture in the Art Nouveau style. The town was devastated by fire a winter’s night in 1904, laying 850 houses in ashes and leaving 10.000 people homeless. During a remarkably short period of time, the new Ålesund was rebuilt in the unique architectural style, especially significant from 1890-1910, with a myriad of turrets, spires and medieval ornaments. The Art Nouveau Centre portrays the town’s unique position in Norwegian architectural history.