Cathedral of The Northern Lights — Attraction in Alta

This was definitely worth the entrance fee (about $10 USD - church only)! A true highlight for me and one that I've told many people about (for me, far surpasses the Tromso Arctic Cathedral experience). It is located sort of behind the Visitor Info center (across the street from the bus station). Note that there are two types of entry fees (clearly explained on large signs outside and inside the church): entry to the church only which is about $10 USD and entry to the church and a 10 minute film in the lower level of the northern lights around the church. You get a very description handout of the church design and interior with both fees. I only went into the church and afterward wished I had spent the additional $7 USD for the film, in order to see the full effect.

The exterior design grabs you and draws you in, wondering what that design represents? Why does it look so different from other churches? Turns out that it was designed to reflect, literally and metaphorically, the northern lights. The exterior is clad in titanium panels which have a soft sheen that glowed even on a grey day. I thought the interior was spectacular; the narrow, vertical window slits and vertical lighting provided light and drew the eye up; the altar piece and furnishings told a story using contemporary yet relatable design; the entry area (through the bell tower "cave" with a golden Jacob's ladder extending into the heavens was unique; and even the color of the wood floor and chairs was carefully chosen.

Spectacular. I would go to this church just for the peace. I can’t imagine it during the northern lights when the titanium exterior...

Totally unique. Loved it. Fabulous welcome and a wonderful service the morning after some friends were married in the Chapel at the Igloo Hotel in nearby Sorrisniva. We were invited for an impromptu tour of the Katedralen and got to see the work in progress for the Northern Lights experience they are going to install here. I loved the fact that the entrance to the cathedral faces straight down towards the University and not towards the traditional compass direction. It's quite magical, and this is coming from someone who loves carved stone buildings... The statue of Christ at the Communion Table really is a powerful evocation of His Presence and the focus of the life of the Cathedral is Christ, led by the Father and then out to the...

The Northern Lights Cathedral was built in 2013 and is a focal point for concerts and local events as well as housing the Lutheran Cathedral. In the basement there is a Northern Lights exhibition that has a photogenic film and the process by which the lights form is described. The church is stunning with a statue of Christ looking up - a symbol of hope for the future. The walls are reminiscent of the lights - but are also designed to improve the acoustics. There is a small cafe and toilets and everything is accessible with lifts. Just outside there is a shopping mall as well as a swimming pool - indoor of course. In Norway all doors are kept shut - so shops and indoor facilities are less obvious than they...