Byparken

Byparken is the town park in central Ålesund, Norway, set at the foot of Aksla hill. It is a patch of green right beside the downtown streets, and the easiest starting point for one of the best-known viewpoints in the country.

What is the history of Byparken?

Ålesund municipality created the park in 1885 on the western slope of Aksla, with a gardener laying out the grounds. The section facing the street was added in 1921-23. The park therefore predates the Art Nouveau town centre that rose after the great fire of 1904. Its design follows the English landscape garden idea: gentle paths, trees and lawns form a calm backdrop to the town around it.

What is there to see?

Two statues stand out:

• The statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II. It was given to the town in thanks for the help Germany provided after the 1904 fire, a reminder of the part he played in the rebuilding of Ålesund.
• The statue of Rollo (Gange-Rolf). This bronze figure shows the Viking said to have come from the island of Giske, not far from Ålesund. It was a gift from Rouen in 1911, and copies of the statue also stand in Ålesund and in Fargo in the United States.

How do you reach Aksla from Byparken?

This is the main reason visitors stop here. The 418-step staircase up Aksla begins in the park. At the top you get a view over the town, the islands and the sea. A steady climb usually takes some ten to fifteen minutes.

For a more adventurous option, a via ferrata route also climbs Aksla from the park. Guided options are available, so you do not need your own climbing experience.

Is it a good stop with children?

Yes. The park has a playground for small children, and it is compact and easy to walk around. It makes a handy rest stop before or after the climb, or during a stroll through the centre.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Byparken? In the centre of Ålesund, at the foot of Aksla, a few minutes on foot from the harbour and the Art Nouveau buildings.

Is entry free? Yes. It is a public town park.

Is it the same as Byparken in Roskilde? No. "Byparken" simply means town park and is a common name in Scandinavia. The Roskilde park in Denmark is a different place.

How many steps lead up Aksla? 418, and the staircase starts in the park.

What else is nearby? The Art Nouveau town centre, rebuilt after the 1904 fire, and the viewpoint at the top of Aksla, which the stairs from the park lead to.

Byparken brings together town history, two interesting statues, quiet greenery and the start of Ålesund's most popular walk. It is worth a stop even for a short stroll.