Old and new architecture meet at the southernmost point of Norway

Lindesnes is considered the country's southernmost point and one of the most visited parts in southern Norway. The lighthouse situated on the southern tip of the peninsula is the oldest lighthouse in Norway. Not far from the lighthouse the first underwater restaurant in Northern Europe opened just a few weeks ago. The restaurant has allready gained international attention and is fully booked until september! During my Easter holiday I visited both the lighthouse and the underwater restaurant. Both are located a little over an hours drive from where I live, which makes it an easy half day tour.  I have been visting the region and in particularly the lighthouse many times, at different times of the year. But this time I wanted to stop by the restaurant as well.

Lindesnes, the southernmost tip of Norway. The sign shows the distance to the northernmost lighthouse on the mainland - Slettnes, as well as the most northerly point in Norway - North Cape. The easternmost lighthouse is Vardø lighthouse on Hornøya in the Barents Sea. Some years ago I visited both these lighthouses and stayed at Vardø lighthouse. It is on an island and we were two people alone except for hundreds of seabirds!  (https://steemit.com/travel/@digi-me/an-arctic-island-retreat-and-one-of-the-most-extreme-places-in-europe) A unique experience.! It is possible to stay overnight at Lindesnes lighthouse as well as many more along the coast of Norway. A stay at a lighthouse is something completely different to a hotel night.

On february 27, 1656, Norway's first beacon was lit here. It was no coincidence that Lindesnes was the place where the first lighthouse in Norway was lit. Ever since the Middle Ages, Lindesnes has been one of the most important landmarks for the sailors between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

«Fjellhallen» was completed in 2004. It is built in the mountain. The hall is used for concerts, events in the municipality as well as film showing the history of the lighthouse throughout the tourist season. In addition to the Fjellhallen there is a museum shop, cafe and several exhibitions in the lighthouse's buildings, as well as in some of the caves that the Germans left behind in 1945. Lindesnes lighthouse is open all summer and is otherwise open every Sunday.

There is a great deal of good light here. It alternates between sun and clouds. Usually windy. Especially at the top of the hill where the lighthouse is situated you can really feel the wind taken hold on you. But apart from the lighthouse itself, the buildings around the lighthouse and the rocky shore is worth exploring.

The restaurant «Under» is the world's largest underwater restaurant. When looking at it from the outside, it looks as if it is rising from the sea or as if it is half-sunken into the sea. The size of it is 34 meters long and it sinks 5 meters below sea level where it meets the bottom. Outside it does not look that large. Inside it looks different, from what I have seen through the medias. The dining area is at the bottom, 5 meters below sea level! There is a huge wall of glass which will give an insight into the life in the sea of Skagerak. Guests can sit and watch the fish swim by as they eat an 18-course gourmet meal! Everything on the meny is local products. This restaurant will definitly put southern Norway on the map when it comes to dining. The world press, who were invited for the opening, was impressed!

The building is designed by Snøhetta, an award – winning achitect firm. In 1989 they attended the international architectural competition for the new library in Alexandria, Egypt. Snøhetta won that project. Throughout the past 10 years they have won several major projects around the world, such as: national September 11 Memorial Pavilion in New York, SFMOMA, in San Francisco, King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Saudi Arabia, Times Square and Busan Opera in South Korea.

Source: https://snohetta.com/projects/428-under-europes-first-underwater-restaurantFollow this link and you will see photos from inside «Under»

The lighthouse might gain competion from the underwater restaurant now. There were a lot more people walking to and from the restaurant, than at the lighthouse.

Source: http://www.lindesnesfyr.no

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