Kristiansand, Norway: January 28, 2025

Kristiansand, our first port, is the southernmost city in Norway. Several islands connected by bridges form the city/municipality which is located in the Randesund Archipelago of 988 islands, islets, and reefs. After our breakfast we took a guided walking tour of some of the older portions of the city.

The city was founded in 1641 and was named Christiansand by King Christian IV the Dano-Norwegian King. The second part of the name "sand" comes from an old Norse word. In the late 19th century, the name was changed to Kristiansand (replacing the Ch with a K) to bring the city name into compliance with Norwegian language.

In the 19th century cholera raged through Norwegian cities, but not so much in Kristiansand. From 1804 on Kristiansand had a Quarantine station for ship traffic and a hospital. During the period of 1833–1866 there were just 15 deaths from cholera in Kristiansand. The yellow buildings are the Quarantine station and the church is the Kristiansand Cathedral.

We were in port all day so in the late afternoon we visited the Kunstsilo which holds the largest collection of Nordic Modernism (the Tangen Collection). The museum was created from a 1935 grain silo. In 2008 it was decided the grain silo was no longer serving its purpose.

After much planning and reconstruction the Kunstsilo opened in May 2024. It has art gallery space, a panoramic eating/drinking space on the ninth floor, a restaurant, and community activity spaces. The silo chutes were removed from the four lower levels to create the central open space, and all exhibitions are on those floors around the central open space. The art shown below (ceramics and textiles) is by artist Axel Salto.

Next door to the Kunstsilo is the architecturally beautiful Kilden Performing Arts Center. We didn't get a chance to admire more than the exterior. The big-eyed bug was installed in a nearby traffic circle.

Next port: 7:00 am at Haugesund