nordlyskatedralen

It's shape and titanium clad exterior would lead you to believe this was either a very modern office or factory building or even a structure built for a winter Olympic games. Only the cross above the entrance or the occasional chiming of the two bells in the tower, reveal it's true identity. You will be stunned as you enter the awe inspiring space within. As you enter the nave via an arch at the base of the bell tower, your eye will be drawn upwards by a golden Jacob's Ladder that wends it's way to heaven. I have made a vain attempt to capture the many moods of this magnificent piece of modern architecture in a short You Tube video titled "Northern Lights Cathedral Alta Norway". I love the feeling of insignificance as you walk into the grandeur of a Gothic style cathedral but you will be impacted by a different but equally emotive set of feelings as you absorb the wonder of this modern space.

You must og there.... outstading Place! Cant tell my feelings about this Place, each and everybody have to visit this building themselfs!

I loved this building, I never thought I could like a piece of modern architecture but this building is amazing.We couldn't go right inside as it was a Sunday morning and there was a service taking place so we didn't want to intrude.We will definitely go back to explore more of the inside and to see it lit up at night, which I think is a must see.

Lovely lovely structure. The altar is very minimal yet beautiful, and entirely in sync with the external style. The statue of Christ is unique. I have a thing for grand old cathedrals, but I loved the Nordlyskatedralen. Missed the shows. :(

Great architecture, and the interior is very beautiful too. Very contemporary, yet as peaceful and serene as a traditional cathedral.

Churches are not usually on the top of my list when I travel abroad, but I am interested in contemporary art and having seen a picture of the building, put it on my visit list for our Northern Lights Christmas cruise. Arrived in Alta on 28 December and went straight to the church to take photographs and what a spectacular building. We returned during the evening to attend a concert, which was excellent.

The light show is every hour and last about 4-5min. It starts at exact hour, for example 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and so on

The architecture is spectacular and the interior very nicely decorated, Both inside and outside are created to look like northern light (what else?) and succedingly do so.

Cool, Norwegian architecture and a gem in Alta. Great interior and exciting facade illumination at night-time.

We visited Alta as one of the ports on a recent cruise. There isn't much to do in town except for the Museum which you should see as well as the rock carvings, and a visit to this church should also be a must see! We were lucky enough to be inside the church when a group was being given a tour so we got a lot of information about the architecture, etc. Very interesting Christ figure.

Fantastic church made of special materials that reflect the sun in the summer and the moon in the winter. We had a guided tour which I recommend. The history of this church is very interesting.

The church is a monument to the Northern Lights. The titanium plates reflect sunlight. We did not have the opportunity to view it at night. The interior design is dramatic in its simplicity. The vertical lights surrounding the interior are a wonderful touch. Our guide gave a great explanation of the inspiration. One cute note: the original design called for a concrete wall behind the altar, but the village children made a blue plaster wall, which is a great addition as it complements the altar sculpture. One can even see little handprints in the plaster.

An amazing piece of architecture, inside and out. Well worth a visit and you should try to see the titanium clad exterior lit up at night. I think it will be even better when they open the exhibition centre in the basement, with interactive displays about the Northen Lights. Loved the Jacob's Ladder in the tower!

Alta is comprised of three villages and the Nordlyskatedral is located on the edge of the main village surrounded by birch forest and the Altafjord. It was built in 2012 and consecrated in 2013. It is a circular building, the exterior of which is clad in Titanium plates which, together with hidden lighting give the illusion of the Northern Lights at night. The interior is modern, a huge bronze statue of a man dominating the altar and backed by a bright blue panel to give it greater prominence. The seating is semi-circular and the walls clad in light vertical strips which give the interior a striking effect. Make sure you look upwards from the bottom of the spire and you will see 'Jacob's Ladder' in gold - presumably the path to Heaven? This is an unusual cathedral, very beautiful in its way thanks to the simplicity of design. As another reviewer has stated, it is on the edge of what appears to be an industrial park, but which in fact is just three to four storey buildings that are functional rather than of good design - this being a very northern Norwegian town subject to temperatures that can drop to minus 35 degrees in winter.

The design is interesting, but why have they ruined it all by placing it next to the dullest architecture imaginable. It is a shame that this has not been given lots of pristine nature to compliment the structure and to make it be the focus of attention. Now you wonder if it is a part of a industrial estate and is an unfinished peace of work waiting to be placed somewhere spectacular.