Molde is a municipality and a town in Romsdal in Møre og Romsdal.
Today's municipality was established on 1 January 2020 by merging
Nesset, Midsund and Molde. The municipality borders in the west to
Aukra, in the southwest to Ålesund, in the north to Hustadvika and
in the east to Gjemnes, Tingvoll and Sunndal and in the south to
Vestnes and Rauma and to Lesja in the Inland. The city of Molde is
the center of the municipality.
The municipality belongs to
the Molde sheriff's district in Nordmøre and Romsdal police
district, Romsdal parish and Frostating district. Molde previously
covered the two parishes Molde and Bolsøy in Molde domprosti.
Molde became a market town in 1742 and originally covered the
area that is now the city center.
In 1915 and 1952, the city
boundaries were adjusted by incorporating parts of the surrounding
Bolsøy county in Molde and in 1964 the two municipalities were
merged. At the same time, parts of Veøy county, as well as the
Mordal district in Nord-Aukra county were incorporated in Molde.
With this, the population increased from 8,289 to 17,118. In 2020,
Molde, Nesset and Midsund were merged into one large municipality
that stretches from Lesja and Sunndal in the south and east and
towards Ålesund in the west.
The name is believed to come
from a Norse farm name, Moldar, a plural form of mold. The city coat
of arms, a whale that chases herring into a barrel, refers to the
herring fishery that saved the city from famine in the 1740s. At the
same time, the whale, which followed the herring shoals into the
fjords, was a sure sign that the spring herring fishing could begin.
Most of today's buildings in the city were built after the end of the
Second World War, since Molde was largely destroyed by German forces in
1940 as the last quarters of the Norwegian King Haakon VII. The
so-called royal birch is a memorial to the German occupation of Norway
in World War II.
The altarpiece from the previous church, which
was destroyed in 1940, hangs in the cathedral church, which was newly
built in 1957 and has a distinctive free-standing bell tower. Centrally
located Reknesparken with a memorial to the writer Alexander Kielland is
worth seeing, as is the Romsdalenmuseum, an open-air museum with 35
restored historic buildings from the province of Møre og Romsdal,
including a historic urban street just outside. In 2016, the new wooden
central building "Krona" ("The Crown") was opened. It houses a newly
designed permanent exhibition, a library, a concert hall and the Café
Mali. A section of the museum devoted to fishing is on the island of
Hjertøya in the fjord, to which tourist boats depart from Torget
(market) in the summer.
Mount Varden (407 moh.) offers a good
view of Molde as well as 696 moh. high sounds. Not only these two
mountains characterize the region around Molde, but a total of 222,
partly snow-covered, mountain peaks ensure a unique landscape and an
impressive panorama. North of the city lies the local recreation and
hiking area of Moldemarka with its unusually rich vegetation for this
region.
The most striking building on the city's sea side is the
glass building of the Scandic-Seilet Hotel, whose architecture is
reminiscent of the shape of a sailing ship.
Prehistory and Medieval Period
Archaeological evidence shows human
settlement in the Molde area dates back to prehistoric times, including
petroglyphs (rock carvings) on two slabs at Bjørset, west of the modern
town center. The earliest significant medieval settlement was on Veøya
(Veøy), a small island strategically positioned at the confluence of
three fjords leading to the Romsdal coast and major shipping routes.
Veøya served as an administrative and trade hub long before Molde itself
rose to prominence.
It was first documented in historical records in
connection with the Battle of Sekken in 1162 during the Norwegian civil
wars, where King Håkon the Broad-shouldered was killed fighting forces
led by Erling Skakke (as recounted by Snorri Sturluson). The Old Veøy
Church (Veøy gamle kyrkje), a stone structure built around 1200 AD,
still stands as a preserved landmark. By the early 15th century, Veøya
had declined significantly in importance—likely due to shifting trade
routes and economic changes—and was largely deserted except for the
parish priest. Minor ports like Bud and Veblungsnes temporarily filled
some regional roles before Molde emerged.
Founding and Early
Modern Growth (16th–18th Centuries)
The name "Molde" derives from the
large farm Molde (now known as Moldegård or Molde gård), interpreted
locally as meaning "good soil" or fertile land. A small landing/port
called Moldefjæra (Molde Landing) developed around 1600 on land
belonging to the Reknes and Molde farms. It functioned primarily as a
shipping point for timber (furu/fir) and herring exports, trading with
merchants from the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and Portugal. Formal
trading privileges were granted before 1604, initially under the
supervision of Trondheim, and it was designated a ladested (loading
place/port town) in 1614.
Following the Treaty of Copenhagen in 1660
(which ended the Dano-Swedish wars and redefined Norwegian
administrative boundaries), Molde became the administrative center of
Romsdal amt (the precursor to Møre og Romsdal county). After competing
commercially with larger cities like Trondheim and Bergen, it received
full kjøpstad (market town) status via royal charter from King Christian
VI in 1742. The town's coat of arms, granted that year, depicts a whale
driving a school of herring into a barrel—a symbolic reference to
ancient folklore about whales herding fish into fjords as a good omen,
though Molde was never a whaling port. Economic activity centered on
timber, fish exports, and regional administration.
19th Century:
Industrial and Tourist Boom
Throughout the 18th and especially the
19th century, Molde expanded as a center for the Norwegian textile and
garment industry while solidifying its role as a regional administrative
hub. In the second half of the 19th century, it emerged as an
internationally famous tourist destination, often called "the Nice of
the North." European royalty and aristocracy—including German Emperor
Wilhelm II and the Prince of Wales—visited regularly as summer guests.
The town featured luxurious hotels, ornate wooden houses, lush gardens,
parks, esplanades, and pavilions, which gave rise to its enduring "Town
of Roses" nickname due to abundant rose gardens and floral displays.
Cruise ships and yachts frequented the harbor, drawn by the spectacular
fjord and mountain scenery.
Literary figures also left their mark:
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (Norway's national poet and Nobel laureate) spent
part of his childhood in nearby Nesset and attended school in Molde; his
poem Til Romsdalen celebrates the fjord and its people. Henrik Ibsen
vacationed at Moldegård and drew inspiration for plays such as
Rosmersholm and The Lady from the Sea. Alexander Kielland served as a
local governor.
Early 20th Century and Interwar Period
Rapid
urbanization continued into the early 20th century, but a major fire on
21 January 1916 destroyed about one-third of the town, including many
wooden structures and rose gardens. Recovery was relatively swift, and
the town grew even during the economically challenging interwar years.
Molde FK (Molde Fotballklubb), one of Norway's prominent football clubs,
was founded in 1911 (originally as "International") amid British and
Continental influences.
World War II: Temporary Capital and
Devastation
The most dramatic event in modern Molde history occurred
during the German invasion of Norway (Operation Weserübung) in April
1940. Following the fall of Oslo and other southern cities, King Haakon
VII, Crown Prince Olav, members of the government and parliament, and
Norway's national gold reserves were evacuated northward and arrived in
Molde around 22 April 1940. For roughly one week (until 29 April), Molde
served as Norway's de facto capital.
Intense German Luftwaffe bombing
raids, especially on 29 April (the worst day), used incendiary bombs and
destroyed approximately two-thirds of the town, including the old wooden
church. The king and crown prince famously took shelter under a birch
tree at Glomstua (a local house where the government stayed) during one
raid; the resulting photograph became an iconic symbol of Norwegian
resistance. The gold was temporarily hidden (including in a clothing
factory) before being moved onward. Advancing German forces and failed
Allied counter-attacks forced the royal party and government to evacuate
further north to Tromsø. These events are commemorated in sites like the
Grove of Peace and through local museums.
Post-War Reconstruction
and Contemporary Era
Molde was rebuilt after WWII, with the current
Molde Cathedral (a modern structure completed in 1957, featuring a
freestanding bell tower) replacing the destroyed church.
Major
municipal consolidations transformed its scale: in 1964, it merged with
Bolsøy Municipality, parts of Veøy, and Nord-Aukra; in 2020, Midsund and
Nesset were added, creating a larger municipality that encompasses
farming, fisheries, industry, and services while the urban core remains
relatively compact. Post-war modernization turned Molde into a
diversified regional center for public administration, healthcare,
banking, higher education (Molde University College, specializing in
logistics and IT), commerce, tourism, and light industry (historically
including clothing factories and maritime/engineering sectors).
Tourism persists, though not at pre-WWI levels, with cruise ships
docking and attractions including the Romsdal Museum (an open-air folk
museum with historic buildings from the region, some dating to the 12th
century) and the Museum of the Fisheries on Hjertøya. Cultural
highlights include the annual Moldejazz festival (one of Europe's
largest jazz events, drawing 80,000–100,000 visitors in July) and the
Bjørnson Festival (literature-focused, in August). Molde FK has enjoyed
success in the Eliteserien (multiple league titles and cups since the
1990s) and European competitions, with Aker Stadion as its home venue.
Today, the town (population around 22,400 as of recent estimates;
municipality larger) maintains its identity as a scenic fjord city
framed by mountains, islands, and the sea, with a mild maritime climate.
Its history reflects transitions from medieval island outpost and timber
port to tourist haven, wartime symbol of resilience, and modern
administrative/cultural hub. Local pride is evident in preserved
heritage sites, literary connections, and ongoing festivals that echo
Bjørnson's words on the intimate bond between the fjord landscape and
its people.
Molde is a coastal town and administrative center of Molde
Municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, western Norway, in the Romsdal
district on the Romsdal Peninsula.
It lies at approximately
62°44′15″N 7°09′33″E, along the north shore of Moldefjord (an arm of the
larger Romsdalsfjord, which opens into the Norwegian Sea). The urban
area forms a narrow strip about 10 km long and 1–2 km wide along the
fjord shoreline. The town is sheltered to the south by low-lying islands
and islets of the Molde archipelago (including Bolsøya) and to the north
by the wooded hills of Moldemarka. The Moldeelva river flows through the
city center from Moldevatnet lake via Moldedalen valley.
The broader
Molde Municipality covers 1,503 km² (making it the 56th largest in
Norway) and includes portions of the Romsdal Peninsula plus numerous
islands such as Otrøya and Midøya (larger islands to the
west/southwest), Bolsøya, Hjertøya, and smaller islets. It extends
inland toward valleys and mountains, with borders to municipalities like
Aukra, Gjemnes, Hustadvika (north), Ålesund (southwest), Vestnes and
Rauma (south), and Tingvoll and Sunndal (east). The fjord landscape
features steep walls, deep inlets (typically 100–800 m deep in the
region), and glacial origins from the last Ice Age.
Topography is
dramatic and characteristic of western Norway's fjord-and-mountain
terrain. The town itself sits on relatively low-lying coastal land, but
it is backed by hills and faces one of Norway's most iconic mountain
vistas. From the Varden viewpoint (accessible by road or hike above
Molde), visitors see the renowned Molde Panorama: a view of 222 (partly
snow-capped) mountain peaks across the fjord and inland ranges,
primarily in the Romsdalsfjella and nearby massifs. The highest peak
visible or associated with the area reaches elevations like Kleneggen at
approximately 1,965 m; the panorama has attracted tourists since the
19th century. Surrounding mountains are steep, often glaciated or
snow-covered seasonally, with valleys (like Romsdalen nearby) carved by
glaciers. The region features rich glacial erosion evidence, including
U-shaped valleys, hanging valleys, and waterfalls.
Hydrography is
dominated by the fjord system. Moldefjord and Romsdalsfjord are deep,
narrow inlets with branches (e.g., Fannefjord nearby), protected
somewhat by outer islands. The fjords are influenced by tides and
freshwater inflow; the municipality includes coastal waters, harbors,
and smaller lakes like Moldevatnet. Rivers such as the Moldeelva
historically powered sawmills and Norway's early hydroelectric plant
(1909). Nearby attractions include the Atlantic Road (causeway over
islands and sea) and Trollstigen pass, highlighting the rugged
coastal-mountain interface.
Climate is maritime temperate oceanic
(Köppen Cfb), unusually mild for its latitude (~62.7°N) due to the North
Atlantic Current (extension of the Gulf Stream). This brings warm, moist
air, resulting in cool-to-warm summers, relatively mild winters, high
precipitation, and lush vegetation (earning the nickname "Town of
Roses"). Winters feature frequent (often wet) snowfall but rarely
extreme cold; foehn (chinook-like) winds from southerly/southeasterly
directions can cause rapid warming (sometimes >10–14°C in winter).
Summers are mild, rarely exceeding comfortable warmth. The sheltered
south-facing aspect (fjord to south, hills/mountains north/east/west)
enhances this microclimate, allowing temperate trees like chestnut, oak,
tilia (linden), beech, and yew to thrive unusually far north.
Climate data (Molde Airport, 1991–2020 normals, ~3 m elevation; precip
from nearby station):
Annual mean temperature: ~7.1°C
Mean daily
max: Jan 3°C, Jul 19°C; annual avg max ~11°C
Mean daily min: Jan
–1°C, Jul 12°C; annual avg min ~5°C
Record high: 32.2°C (Jul); record
low: –17°C (winter)
Annual precipitation: ~1,667 mm (wettest Sep–Oct
~185–189 mm, driest May–Jun ~89–95 mm)
Snow is common in winter but
often melts or mixes with rain due to mild temps.
Vegetation and
ecology reflect the mild, wet climate: roses and gardens flourish in
summer (visible in parks and even on the town hall roof); forests
include mixed deciduous/coniferous on hills; coastal areas support
maritime plants. The region is part of Fjord Norway, with biodiversity
enhanced by varied topography (fjords, mountains, valleys, islands).