The Aurlandsfjell Tourist Route is one of 18 national tourist routes in Norway, created as part of a government program to promote the most picturesque corners of the country. The main task of this large-scale project is to supplement the beauties of nature not only with “amenities”, but with memorable objects of modern architecture, created by both Norwegian authors and guest “stars”.
The Aurlandsfjelle trail is a 47 km long road between the villages of Aurlandsvangen near Aurlandsfjord and Lrdalsøiri on the banks of the Sognefjord. The trail, which is also often called the "snow road" in Norway, has always been popular with tourists - the views are very beautiful from here - so it was a matter of time to create a modern infrastructure for numerous pilgrims here. And in order not to interfere with tourism, the project was carried out in several stages.
The Stegastein Observation Deck was first designed by architect Todd Saunders. Located closest to Aurland, unlike most of the route, it is open to the public all year round and is a spectacular console over a steep rocky slope. Saunders sought to "lift" visitors above the landscape so that they can enjoy the entire panorama of Aurlandsfjord from a height of 650 meters, and came up with a wide wooden bridge for this. When you stand on it, it seems that it breaks off right above the abyss - only a transparent wall separates the visitors from the breathtaking expanses, but when you look at the building from the side it becomes obvious that the architect bent the other end of the "ladder" so that it also rested into the slope, but ten meters lower.
The next to appear on the minibus were toilet cubicles, designed by the architect Lars Berge. The architect interpreted the structure itself as a concrete cube, which is partially dug into the ground with one of its edges. The facet facing the top of the mountain is glazed, due to which from the side this volume most of all resembles a giant TV or monitor. The true functional purpose of the "booths" is indicated only by signs and numerous concrete benches where tourists can relax.
In addition to the epic mountain landscapes, Aurlandsfjell's "snow road" is famous for its caves, and the improvement of the tourist route included organizing the approach to some of them. The architects built comfortable and safe walkways leading to the caves, and special view balconies, allowing you to observe their "inner life". The finishing touch was an installation by American artist Mark Dion, depicting a giant bear sleeping peacefully on a mountain of rubbish. Thus, the author asks the question, who is still the king of nature and the main consumer of the benefits of civilization, assuming that every tourist who comes here will have his own answer.
A. M.
