“The City of Roses” is the romantic nickname for Molde, located in western Norway. Among the rugged cliffs and heaths, locals tend rose gardens where these flowers thrive in the northern climate. Molde is located near the Romsdalen Valley and the famous Trollstigen. Despite these famous neighbors, the town itself is always full of tourists. They come here to see the fjords and enjoy the enchanting beauty of Scandinavian nature.

Attractions in Molde
From the summit of Mount Varden (407 m), a stunning view opens onto the town, the fjord and skerries, and the famous panorama of 222 partially snow-capped peaks. The summit can be reached by car in 10 minutes or by foot along a trail in an hour.

A fire in 1916 and intense bombing during World War II deprived Molde of its ancient architectural monuments. However, the town boasts interesting museums. For example, the Romsdal Museum covers all eras of the region’s history and culture. Here you can see ancient artifacts and enjoy folk dances performed by children. The museum’s bakery sells traditional pastries.

Molde Cathedral, built in 1957 in the Gothic style, boasts a 50-meter bell tower, considered one of the city’s symbols. The cathedral stands on the site of two former churches destroyed by fire.

The city center is graced by the modernist Town Hall. In front of it, in the square, stands a bronze statue of a girl holding roses. The Town Hall itself is distinguished by its brutalist Nordic architecture—the gray concrete symbolizes the Scandinavian cliffs, and the rose garden on the roof represents the people who inhabited these harsh lands.

Many people know Molde thanks to its football team, a three-time Norwegian champion. For a long time, the team was coached by the legendary Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Peace Grove is the place where King Haakon of Norway and Crown Prince Olav hid from the Germans in April 1940. Presidents, Nobel laureates, writers, and scientists, including the famous Thor Heyerdahl, have planted trees in this small park.