Traces of Edvard Munch’s story can be found in several places throughout Fredrikstad. In Storgata 26 – in what was once known as “Forstaden” – two women were born who would have a lasting influence on the artist’s life. These were his mother, Laura Cathrine Munch (née Bjølstad), and his beloved “Aunt Karen”, Karen Bjølstad.
Laura Cathrine was born on 10 May 1837 and died at only 31 years of age, leaving behind her husband and five children. Her sister Karen, born on 25 October 1839, stepped in to care for the children and became a lifelong source of support for Edvard Munch. He described her as a creative woman with a strong influence:
“She was probably the one who contributed most to me becoming a painter – at least at such an early stage.”
Munch’s parents, Laura Cathrine and Christian Munch, were married in Glemmen Church in Fredrikstad on 15 October 1861. As a child and later as an adult, Munch often visited his grandfather Andreas Larsen Bjølstad and step-grandmother Marie in Storgata. Letters also mention visits to an uncle who served as harbor master in Fredrikstad, living at Bjarne Aas gate 6.
Artistic connections to Fredrikstad
One of Munch’s most important artistic ties to the city is the painting The Net Binder, created on Hankø in the summer of 1888.
Other Munch works connected to Fredrikstad include:
“Grandfather Bjølstad on his deathbed” (1888), painted in Storgata 26
A drawing of grandfather Bjølstad (early and undated)
“World-famous” models
Munch used his mother, Laura Cathrine, both as a living model and as posthumous inspiration in many of his works. Karen Bjølstad was also a model for several well-known paintings, such as The Sick Child and Spring – both created at Schous Plass in Kristiania (Oslo) – along with numerous other portraits.
In a letter from Christmas 1900, Aunt Karen wrote to Edvard from Fredrikstad:
“In Fredrikstad, we read in the papers that your painting ‘Spring’ received such a favorable placement. Perhaps you saw it in Morgenbladet – in what they call the Hall of Honour for modern art, your monumental painting was given the place of honor. It is so deeply moving and beautiful.”
In Munch’s Footsteps – Walking Trail in Fredrikstad
Fredrikstad has created a historical walking route with six key locations connected to Edvard Munch’s life and family. Each stop features an information board detailing his family roots, childhood memories, and sources of artistic inspiration.
Selected locations on the trail:
Isegran: Munch’s paternal ancestor, Søren Rasmussen Munch, served here under Tordenskiold in the 1700s.
Storgata 26 / Blomstertorget: Birthplace of Munch’s mother and aunt. The sculpture Munchs Mødre (Munch’s Mothers) now stands on the square.
Glemmen Church: Site of Munch’s parents’ wedding.
Old Glemmen Church: Burial site of Munch’s maternal family.
Hankø Island: Where Munch painted The Net Binder and On the Pier in 1888.
Edvard Munch was born on 12 December 1863 in Løten, Hedmark. He was the son of Christian Munch from Oslo and Laura Cathrine Bjølstad from Fredrikstad. The family moved to Oslo shortly after his birth. The early deaths of his mother and eldest sister, combined with his own poor health and his father’s intense religiosity, left a deep mark on Munch’s sensitive nature. These experiences gave his art its signature emotional depth and introspection.
Selected works:
The Scream (1893) Vampire (1892–94) Madonna (1894–95) The Dance of Life (1900) Girls on the Bridge (1902)
Just an hour from Oslo, the twin destination of Fredrikstad and Hvaler offers the perfect mix of city life and coastal tranquility. Here, cobbled streets meet salty sea breeze, and history blends naturally with modern life.
In Fredrikstad, the river Glomma divides two worlds: the modern city centre on the west, with its lively waterfront lined with cafés and restaurants, and the Fortress Town (Gamlebyen) on the east bank – Northern Europe’s best-preserved fortified town. Within its historic walls you’ll find a charming mix of cobbled streets, small wooden houses, galleries, cafés, museums and local craftsmanship. The Old Town is a living museum where people still live, work and create every day.
Out in the Hvaler archipelago, Norway’s first Marine National Park awaits. With more than 800 islands and skerries, this is a paradise for island hopping, kayaking, diving, hiking or simply relaxing by the sea. The region enjoys some of the country’s highest number of sunshine hours, making it a perfect escape for nature lovers in all seasons. On the main islands you can explore art galleries, open gardens, local food producers and cosy seaside restaurants serving freshly caught seafood.
Together, Fredrikstad and Hvaler form a destination full of contrasts – lively yet peaceful, historic yet creative, urban yet close to nature. Whether you come for a weekend by the river, a cultural walk through cobbled streets, or a summer adventure among the islands, this is a place that welcomes you all year round.
Hardly an hour from Oslo and you are in the beauty of Fredrikstad and Hvaler – just taking it all in is an experience in itself!
Go island-hopping around Hvaler, spend the night in a lighthouse, and let the sunrise warm the naked rocks by the shore. For you and your girlfriends the stunning coastal islands are the perfect place to spend some lazy days and enjoy quality time with great food.
Fredrikstad’s Old Town (Gamlebyen) is living history – quaint shops, charming cafés, intimate galleries and 500 years of fascinating heritage. And all of this is a short (and free!) ferry hop from Fredrikstad’s pulsating city centre.
If beautiful surroundings are your kind of thing – this is a trip you’ll be talking about for years. We’ve got the perfect backdrop for unforgettable memories – just add your own stories, laughs, and a drop of craziness!
Why choose Fredrikstad and Hvaler?
Did we mention our coastal paradise – with hundreds of small and large islands?
Fredrikstad is a quick hour from Oslo, easy to get to by road and rail
The attractions are laid out on a silver platter for you – with short distances between them you don’t waste time getting around
Who have most sunny days in Norway? We do, of course!
Get your bag packed and leave everyday behind! Give old memories a fresh lick of paint, or make some shiny new ones!
TRIP 1: Gils getaway with a bit of culture
GAMLEBYEN | ISEGRAN | FREDRIKSTAD
We don’t like to boast – but Fredrikstad’s fortress town, Gamlebyen, is listed as the best-preserved fortress town in Scandinavia. If you girls have been looking for some quality time together, look no further than the cobbled streets and picturesque houses of Gamlebyen. You can get a cultural recharge in idyllic surroundings, then chatter the evening away in one of the secluded courtyards. Yepp, you can even hire a flat here with its own other-worldly courtyard. Almost like being in a movie!
Where was art before it was art? In the artist’s head, of course! At Bastion 5 you can see art becoming art. Nine artists are at work in this charming environment. There are exhibitions and a vibrant café with live concerts. More art being made as you watch – at Glasshytta (The Glass House) just a stone’s throw away, at the moat bridge. In just a few minutes the glowing mass is transformed into beautiful collectibles! Ask nicely and you may even get to blow your own glass.
Want to steady your pulse – alone or together? There’s nothing more relaxing than strolling by the moats and atop the ramparts of the Old Town. Maybe pick up a snack at Mormors Cafe and make a picnic in the shade of ancient trees and battlements.
Fredrikstad is a small town with the heart of a city, and it’s just a short ferry hop from the old to the new town. Free of charge, the City Ferry (Byfergen) takes you from Gamlebyen to Isegran and the town centre. It’s the loveliest little ferry ride in Norway! A great way to see Fredrikstad from the river.
And what a delightful town centre! Shopping, restaurants, stylish cafés – and, of course, Brygga. Along this riverside promenade, restaurants and bars jostle shoulder to shoulder to please you. Locals and visitors alike, they all flock down to the river to find a table and enjoy a couple of chilled glasses and a platter of shrimps. Nygaardsplassen is a secluded square in the bosom of the town – and has been called “Fredrikstad’s own little corner of Brooklyn”. There are several high quality restaurants to choose from. The “city heart” of the town beats strongest in its shopping – everything from specialist stores and unique interior and fashion boutiques to the new shopping centre Værstetorvet.
How to get here? It is easy to get to Fredrikstad by bus, train and car. There is a free ferry service between the Old Town (Gamlebyen) and the town centre.
TOUR 2: Island hopping on Hvaler
HVALER
Do the round trip of Hvaler’s island paradise, hopping by foot or car, bus or boat. A skerry you can hardly find on the map might turn out to be your perfect secluded bathing spot. For you and your girlfriends the stunning coastal islands are the perfect place to spend some lazy days and enjoy quality time with great food.
Fish, swim, paddle, eat, hike, read or perhaps sail? Hvaler spoils you for choice. Hvaler is a kingdom of islands and skerries – 833 in all. In other words, a lot of naked, sun-warmed beach rocks to get to know. You can go island hopping to several of the largest with the ferry route from Skjærhalden.
We also recommend a low-gear hike along the Coastal Trail (Kyststien) that starts in Skjærhalden. In the national park you will discover Bronze Age cairns, medieval ruins, a medieval church, Rødshue Sculpture Park, and Homlungen Lighthouse. Plot in a stop at the Outdoor House (Friluftshuset) on Storesand beach, where you can buy refreshments. But do remember that the local custom is to bring your own food along with you on a trip. There are several small grocery stores to choose from, most open late in the evening and on Sundays.
Hvaler is also known for its restaurants. In the maritime heart of Skjærhalden is Big Fish Café. At this family-run eatery all the food is prepared on site – with a love of good food as the principle ingredient. The café has become a favourite among people who prefer shrimps fresh off the boat and other low-mileage dishes. And if you like ice cream – well, treat yourself to their Italian gelato!
How do you get to your coastal paradise? You can come by car or take the express bus from Oslo. Alternatively, take the train to Fredrikstad and pick up the bus there.
