Fredrikstad

About

Fredrikstad was founded in 1567 as a replacement for the town of Sarpsborg, 15km further up the Glomma river, after it was razed to the ground by the Swedish Army. This former industrial town is famed for the warmth of it’s welcome, as well as being one of the sunniest places in Norway. The heavily fortified old town section, The Gamlebyen, built according to Dutch architectural techniques, contains high earthen ramparts and wide water-filled moats situated in a star-shape to better maximise firing coverage for cannons. The Gamlebyen is probably Northern Europe’s best preserved fortified town, and forms the beating heart of Fredrikstad. Although you can still locate the odd cannon here and there, it is now a haven for shopping, cafe culture, and markets year round. Art galleries and museums are plentiful here, and the walls old fortifications nowadays makes for a relaxing stroll, and maybe a picnic.