We all know the inspiring, age-old proverb – “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”, but to explore an attraction that is the literal embodiment of this pithy maxim? Now that’s a whole different ball game.

The Fisheries Museum in Alesund represents the crux of this striking adage about self-sufficiency, by showcasing exhibits on the historical development of sea fishing and fisheries across centuries, with special sections on klippfisk (salted cod) production – the town’s most famous food specialty. Visitors can even stop by a laboratory dedicated to the processing of cod liver oil and rejuvenate the senses with the intriguing smell that wafts through the laboratory facilities. This is all set in an 1861 Holmbua warehouse along the beautiful harbour of Alesund, which fortunately, escaped The Great Town Fire of 1904, and now houses one of the most comprehensive fisheries exhibitions in Norway.

Visitors should not miss this opportunity to educate themselves on the development of sea fishing and learn more about old trades, such as barrel making, that are nearly extinct in the world today.