Sydney has its opera house of the sea front. Tromso has the dramatic looking Arctic Cathedral on the east bank of the fjord. There is a car park at the rear of the building and a footpath around the premises so you can admire it at close quarters.

If you can time your visit for dusk. That way you can see the stained glass windows at their best and the twinkling city lights of Tromso reflected in the sea.

You can walk from the city centre over the harbour bridge. It only takes around 25 minutes from the cruise ship docking area. You can take the number 28 bus from the city centre. I was disappointed with the interior of the cathedral. It is modern minimalist and plain. There is a charge to go inside. It is not in my opinion worth the fee. It is the outside of the building that is interesting.

There is a small souvenir shop inside. Check opening times with the tourist office or via your hotel as it is only open for a few hours each day. Opening times normally coincides with the arrival of the tourist laden Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage ships. The Tromso Arctic Cathedral was built in 1965 by the Norwegian architect Jan Inge Hovig

The Tromso Arctic Cathedral is known by a number of different name Tromsdalen Kirke, Ishavskatedralen Arctic Cathedral and the Eismeer-Kathedrale. It is a prominent landmark and can be seen from quite a far distance. I have read that it is supposed to symbolise the arctic darkness and the northern lights. Personally I cannot see that. For me it looks like an Iceberg. The citizens of Tromso should be proud of their Arctic Cathedral.

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