Hamar
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To find more content and listen to free audio guides, download the Voice of Norway app.
Have you ever thought about how many destinies have crossed paths at a railway station? Hamar Railway Station, opened in 1862 as part of Norway's first railway line outside the Oslo area, is a beautiful testament to the city's historical significance as a communications hub. The original brick station building represents typical architecture from the golden age of railways in Norway. When the Main Line between Oslo and Eidsvoll was extended northward, Hamar became a natural junction. Through the ages, the station has witnessed joyful reunions and tearful goodbyes, the drama of the war years and everyday travelers. The distinctive building has undergone several modernizations, but has maintained its historical character. Today, the station remains a vibrant hub for both local and regional trains, forming an important part of Inland Norway's infrastructure. The platform can tell stories of timber that was to be transported, of people who traveled to the capital to seek work, and of a society in transformation where the railway represented progress and opportunities for a growing city.
# The Festiviteten and the Events of April 9, 1940 What does it feel like when everyday life suddenly becomes history? The Festiviteten in Hamar, the city's venerable community center and theater from 1917, became the scene of dramatic events when Norway was occupied. On April 9, 1940, as German forces invaded the country, the Parliament and government hastily gathered here to discuss the nation's fate. In this building, with its characteristic Neo-Renaissance façade and magnificent main hall, a fateful meeting was held where President Hambro led the negotiations regarding the powers of the king and government. While bombs fell over Oslo, the country's leaders made important decisions in the historic rooms of the Festiviteten. Later that same day, they had to flee further north. The building stands today as a silent witness to one of the most dramatic days in Norwegian history. The Festiviteten continued to function as a cultural center throughout the occupation, under strict German censorship. Today, the historic building has been restored to its original splendor and is used for concerts, theatrical performances and festive gatherings, but the memorial plaque in the foyer reminds us of the fateful April days of 1940.
The Bazaar Building at Stortorget Have you ever felt the excitement of wandering through a market full of treasures? The Bazaar Building at Stortorget in Hamar, erected in 1896, is an architectural gem that has been part of the city's unifying architecture for over a hundred years. The distinctive building was designed by architect Holm Munthe in a unique style with elements of Neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau. Originally, the building housed market stalls – or bazaars – where local merchants sold their goods. At that time, the harbor extended all the way to the rear of the building, making it easy to move goods from boats into storage, or vice versa. The central location at Stortorget made the building a natural gathering point for the city's population. Through the years, the building has undergone some interior modernizations, but has maintained its distinctive façade with arched windows and decorative details. Today, the Bazaar Building houses a mix of museum, café, and administration. The building is owned by the municipality and is actually waiting for an owner who can develop it as a combination of cultural venue and restaurant. Its fine position at the lower end of the square creates an intimate atmosphere that contrasts with modern shopping centers. For residents and visitors, the Bazaar Building represents architectural continuity in a city where buildings show that we are dealing with a 176-year-old lady. The city has always been an important commercial center for the Inland region.
Do you long for a place where culture connects past and future? Hamar Cultural Center is the city's beating heart for performing arts and cultural experiences. The building, which opened in 2014, represents a modern architectural approach with its airy atrium and flexible performance spaces. The Cultural Center houses Hamar Theater, concert hall, cinema screens, library, and art gallery under one roof, and has become a gathering place across generations. Here you can experience everything from international artists to local talents, from symphony orchestras to rock concerts. The building is strategically located in the center and has become a symbol of the city's cultural ambitions. Throughout the year, festivals, debates, performances, and exhibitions that put Hamar on the cultural map are organized here. The large glass façade invites daylight in and creates an open atmosphere that reflects the cultural center's philosophy of accessibility for all. In the evening, the cultural center illuminates the cityscape and draws people downtown, which has helped revitalize urban life in Hamar. For both locals and visitors, the cultural center represents a modern counterpoint to the city's historical buildings.
Are you seeking a moment of peace and reflection in a busy day? Hamar Cathedral, with its towering spires reaching towards the sky, has been a spiritual anchor point for the city since it was consecrated in 1866. The church is built in neo-Gothic style, designed by the renowned architect Heinrich Ernst Schirmer, and replaces the original medieval cathedral at Domkirkeodden that was destroyed during the Reformation. The majestic proportions, with tall windows allowing light to enter through colorful stained glass, create an awe-inspiring atmosphere. The impressive organ from 2024 fills the space with powerful tones during services and concerts. The church's interior is richly decorated with carvings and details typical of neo-Gothic architecture. As the bishop's seat for the Hamar diocese, the church holds a central place in the region's religious life. Through the years, the cathedral has framed countless baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals – life's significant moments for generations of Hamar's population. Today, the cathedral stands as a testament to the city's religious tradition and architectural ambitions from the second half of the 19th century.
Kirsten Flagstad Museum Have you ever been moved to tears by a voice so powerful that it could fill the world's largest opera houses without a microphone? Kirsten Flagstad, born in Hamar in 1895, grew up to become one of the world's most famous opera singers. The museum honoring her is housed in her childhood home, and takes you on a fascinating journey through her remarkable life and career. As the daughter of conductor Michael Flagstad and pianist Marie Flagstad, Kirsten was surrounded by music from birth. Her soprano voice became world-renowned, particularly for her interpretations of Wagner roles such as Brünnhilde and Isolde. After her sensational debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1935, she was described as "the voice of the century." The museum contains personal belongings, costumes, photographs, and audio recordings documenting her extraordinary career from local stages to the world's most prestigious opera houses. Her life was not without controversies, especially related to the war years, but her artistic legacy remains undisputed. The museum provides an intimate glimpse into the woman behind the famous voice and shows how a girl from Hamar conquered the greatest stages of the opera world.
Eastern Square and Functionalist Architecture Can a catastrophe lead to architectural renewal? Eastern Square (Østre torg) in Hamar bears witness to exactly this. After the devastating fire that ravaged the block around 1938, a collection of buildings arose that represent some of the finest functionalist architecture in Norway. The Astoria Hotel, with its characteristic rounded corner façade, light plastered walls and clean lines, became a symbol of modernity and faith in the future in post-war Hamar. On the opposite side of the square, you'll find the apartment building that was also rebuilt in the same style, with balconies, horizontal window bands, and a restrained yet elegant façade. Functionalist architecture, which had its breakthrough in Norway in the 1930s, represented a break with historicism and an approach where form should follow function. The buildings around Eastern Square demonstrate this philosophy in practice – light, air, and openness were to characterize the new buildings. Today, these buildings constitute a coherent architectural environment that has become increasingly valued as functionalism has experienced its renaissance. The square itself still functions as an important urban space, surrounded by shops, cafés, and service offerings, and shows how modern architecture can create dignified and functional frameworks for urban life.