Every design for Fredrikstad

Have you ever noticed how straight the streets of Fredrikstad are? That is no accident. The town was laid out as Norway's first Renaissance town, block by regular block, after citizens of Sarpsborg fled their burnt-out town and rebuilt at the mouth of the Glomma, naming the new place after King Frederick II.

What sets Fredrikstad apart is that it is really two towns facing each other across the river. The modern centre sits on the west bank, while Gamlebyen on the east bank is Northern Europe's best preserved fortified town. Sawmills and brickworks once lined the Glomma, which is why Fredrikstad is still called Plankebyen, the plank town; Narnte teglverk at Selbak supplied the red bricks of the university buildings at Blindern in Oslo. Later came shipbuilding, and out on Isegran stands Tårnet på Isegran. The town has twice hosted the Tall Ships' Race and has been named Norway's most attractive city.

If you grew up crossing between those two banks, you will find both banks, and the river between them, on this map.