KRISTIANSAND
Vibrant Kristiansand – stolica Sørlandet – is the Norwegian port closest to Denmark. It is here that many tourists from the south meet Norway for the first time. The city is a summer resort eagerly chosen by Norwegian families with children. Crowds of foreign tourists disembarking from ferries most often leave from here by the nearest train.
Kristiansand owes the regular chessboard of wide streets to King Christian IV, who founded this city in 1641 r. Until a few years ago, it was famous for its polluted air, dirty, smelly beach and river, in which the dead salmon were swimming. Thanks to the entrepreneurship of the inhabitants, Industrial waste water is currently treated in three powerful treatment plants, and there are filters on the chimneys. Formerly throttling sludge is sold as reinforcement for concrete used on oil rigs and brings millions of crowns of profit every year. The vicinity of the small port was also cleaned up, where there is a fabulous fish market, some good fish restaurants, pizzeria, and there are other attractions planned.
Orientation
The center of Kristiansand consists of a network of perpendicular streets. The resulting quarters (six longer to nine shorter) are called quadratures (the quadrature). It is surrounded on two sides by the sea, the river flows from the third, and from the fourth there is a large city park. The train and bus stations as well as the ferry terminal are situated west of the center. You can park your car in their vicinity, but also on most streets. Shops and restaurants in the center are clustered along Markens gate pedestrian street.
Information
Destinasjon Sørlandet tourist information office (38121314, fax 38025255, destsor@online.no) it is close to the ferry port and stations, at Droningens gate 2. In the period from 2 VI to 21 VIII it is open on weekdays from 8.00 do 19.30, on Saturdays from 8.00 do 15.00 (from the end of June to mid-August to 19.30), and on Sundays from 12.00 do 19.30. In other months – on weekdays from 8.00 do 16.00.
Maps and information for hiking, accommodation and package tours to the mountains of southern Norway can be obtained at Kristiansand og Oppland Turistforening (38025263), Kristian IV gate 12, which is open on weekdays from 8.00 do 15.00.
Money can be changed at the post office at Markens gate 19, as well as in all major banks, including the bank located in the Color Line ferry terminal.
Laundry is available in Gjestehavn (Guest Harbour), where you pay for your laundry 30 nkr and the same for drying.
Christiansholm Fortress
The dominant element of Strandepromenaden is Christiansholm Festning. This fortress was built between 1662-1672 by order of the Danish King Frederick III. As a strategic point of the Skagerrak, it was supposed to protect the city from pirates and Swedes. The cost of building the fortress was covered by 1550 city citizens, who have been taxed and forced to support this endeavor. The walls go up to 5 m thick, and behind the inner wall was an armory. Despite this power (or thanks to her) the defenders of the fortress took part in only one military action during the Napoleonic Wars. W 1807 r. soldiers fired upon the English ship Spencer, because its captain demanded that the Danish ship Prins Christian Fredrik be delivered to the port. Spencer made no resistance and swiftly left.
W 1872 r. the fortress was destroyed, because the fire caused a large explosion of the accumulated ammunition. During the Second World War, the Germans covered the walls with a layer of concrete, which was later removed. In recent times, significant changes have been made, among other things, a new roof with a row of high-placed windows was installed. Still eight bronze cannons, cast in years 1666-1788, “Threatens” offshore islets.
Fortress (38075150) is open daily from 15 V do 15 IX in hours 9.00 – 21.00. From 15 VI to 15 VIII daily Fr. 13.00 the guided tour begins. Admission is free.