Hammerfest is the world’s northernmost city with more than 10,000 inhabitants. And, together with Vardø, the oldest city in northern Scandinavia. Hammerfest has always had a significant role in history and has been nearly destroyed twice over the years. The first time was a fire in 1890, then the city was built thanks to worldwide humanitarian aid. For the second time, Hammerfest was a victim of the German scorched earth strategy, with the only building to survive the complete destruction being the Hauen Church.
In addition to military and strategic reasons, Hammerfest is significant because the northernmost point of Struve’s geodetic arc is located here.
Interestingly, Hammerfest became the first electrically lit city in Northern Europe in 1891.
Even today, the town is an important location in northern Norway, with the island of Melkøya being an important centre for natural gas processing.
Hammerfest is located on the island of Kvaløya, which is connected to the mainland by the Kvalsundbrua Bridge, the northernmost suspension bridge in the world.