Fredrikstad Things to Do

The old town of Fredrikstad is situated a bit outside the new city. Easiest would be to go there with car, or by boat over the river from the new city center.

It's quite big village, where there nowadays is a mix of old building like the fort, and new modern shops. The later one made at least me a bit disappointed, as I was expecting to see everything from very early years.

The first part of Gamlebyen was built in 1567, after Swedish troops had burnt down the village that were located there earlier (sorry guys!). It was the danish king, then also king of Norway, Fredrik II that allowed the citiziens to build a city closer to the river, to get better protection from the enemies. And it's also from his name as the city Fredrikstad has got its name, meaning "Fredrik's city".

Unfortunately for Fredrik and the villages was the Swedes soon there again, and during the 1600-eds the king decided to built a fort out of the village. It was done and built in 1663, and the walls from the fortress is still there around the city. Including the canons.

The fortress scared off the swedes for a while, but instead the village burnt up by itself, since most inhabitants couldn't afford to build there houses in stone, but instead in tree.
That's why today there are no houses still there from the first hundred years.

I took a walk through the village for thirty minutes. Enough, although I would have liked to stay a bit longer. Not so much to see maybe, but it's a nice calmness in the village.

Every saturday during the summer there is a freemarket in the Gamlebyen.

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The cathedral of Fredrikstad is open every day except for Saturdays and Monday.
Guess which day I was there...?
Monday of course...
The cathedral, built back in 1880, and then heavily restaurated in 1954, is built in red bricks, in a new gothic style. Whatever that means...?
For me the huge church gave off a calm feeling, almost a bit cold actually.
Located in the middle of the park Kirkeparken, and close to the City hall and the Hotel Fontenen.
In front of the church you'll find a very nice garden with a lot of nice flowers.

Unfortunately I couldn't enter the church since it was a Monday, but from the photos I've seen it's beautiful inside.

Open hours:
Tuesday-Friday 10-14 (10-15 June-August)
Sunday the service is at 11, with the church open 10-13.

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In the central parts of Fredrikstad there are some really beautiful buildings. All of them corner buildings for some reason...?
During my short walk around the center I couldn't avoid looking up at them, they look very classic.

Wouldn't mind having an appartment in one of these houses, guess they look quite nice indoor...

It's not much a "Things to do", but if you're taking a walk through the city, don't miss to look at these buildings!

Since the weather was quite rainy when I was in Fredrikstad this tips didn't fit too well for me. But when the weather is nice it's great to walk along on the Bryggepromenaden, the street along the fjord.
There are a lot of restaurants and pubs, with possibilities to sit outside and drink and eat.

The view is also nice, with lots of boats passing by.

Just remember that prices in Norway are high, and it won't be lower when you sit down at the most touristy place in Fredrikstad... ;)

The pubs are supposed to be open until late at night, not sure what that means though. When I was out there on a Sunday night (midnight) it was dark and closed.

Should be different for the rest of the week though.

Every July there is the "Glommafestivalen" with various artists performing and activities on the river.

Here is a cardboard ship going for recycling afer a short voyage down the Glomma.

http://www.glommafestivalen.no/

http://www.alegria.no

There's a restaurant - well, probably more than one - at Gamlebyen. This one's close to the riverside. Jennie had something with shrimps, and I had chicken and pita bread.