Namsos
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Namsos
Photo: Wacek Kusnierczyk
Namsos is Namdalen’s commercial centre, the home of several famous rock’n’roll artists and a culture-oriented town with long traditions in the timber industry. Namdalen’s large, natural forest areas along with top quality timber were the main factors behind parliament’s decision on June 7, 1845 to establish a town near the mouth of the Namsen River. The country’s first-ever steam-powered sawmill, Wullum-saga in Spillumsvika, became operational in 1852, and was followed by yet another sawmill being established by Carl Gulbranson at Verftstangen within the town limits of Namsos, just across the fjord. There was non-stop activity following this and Namsos soon achieved status as a timber-town on a par with Lillestrøm and Fredrikstad.
Modern day Namsos is a town that bears the mark of having been reduced to ruins on three occasions; in 1872 and 1897 as the result of major fires and a third time as the direct consequence of German bombing on 20 April 1940. However, this town has proven its vitality and was repeatedly reconstructed over the course of a short period.
The moose, as rendered on the Namsos municipal coat of arms, is a common sight in Namsos’ forest and throughout the entire Namdalen Valley.
In more recent times, Namsos has become known as the birthplace of Trøndelag-style rock’n’roll. Åge Aleksandersen, Terje Tysland, DDE, Askil Holm among other popular artists were born and raised here. Several new local rock bands are well on their way. The Music School of Namsos is one of Norway’s largest in spite of the total population being only 12,300 inhabitants. Local clubs and organisations are active in a variety of areas and the Namsos Cultural Centre is the site of venues featuring local, national and international artists each month. March is the time of the annual Namsos Rockfestival.
Photo: Simon Skreddernes
Namsos is a transportation focal point with daily connections by high-speed boat to Rørvik and Leka, good bus connections northward and southward, and an airport near the town centre. The tourist information is situated at the quay, in “Skysstasjonen”, along with the ferry and bus company.
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