We had one single rainy day in Norway, and decided to spend it in the Blue City – Sortland. The artist Bjørn Elvenes started a millenium project to paint the city blue…
Famous blue cities are Chefchauen in Morocco and Jodhpur in India.
…but how the story ended is still not clear. However, the overall impression is –
that he at least succeeded in large parts of Sortland. Many shades of blue greeted us now that the skies did not show any signs of this colour…
The city is small, but has today got about 10 400 inhabitants.
We enjoyed the one hour walk, even if we had to pop into some shops and the library to avoid the heaviest showers…
A rainy day well spent!
Leya 
If there is ever a blue challenge again…
…I will know what to post!
Most interesting, especially in the conflict that was created by the project.
Yes, and no one could answer to how things were standing right now.
Such a calming colour, full of positivity
Yes!
Beautiful! One doesn’t even notice the weather. 🙂
😉
Vilken fantastisk idé att måla en stad i blått! Kikade på länken till Marocco, inte lika stilrent som här men full av charm. Kul att få ta del av, skulle inte en kunnat peka ut Sortland på kartan!
Kul att du gillade det! Och jag visste inte heller var Sortland låg…
It is interesting to hear you read in your comment to Tish that this town looks best in blue in sunlight. It already looks lovely and quaint as it is. Does sound like a day well spent and managing to avoid the heaviest downpours 🙂
Thank you, Mabel. I was thinking of Tish’s interest for the different hues – I guess they are best revealed in sunlight!
Better than average odd’s I think for none rainy days….. but that seems to be the pattern over most places north of the equator this summer. I enjoy it but it can become stressful for many. Have to admit I would enjoy a shower or two to freshen things up. 🙂
Hail storm here today – accompanied by thunder!
Bragging again!!! 🙂
😁😁😎
Nice post. Amazing Pictures.
Thank you!
I believe I have a bucket list item. The color blue has such a calming effect to me. The photos in the feed look exactly that. blue and calm. I loved the pink (penstemons?) by the window. The contrast is brilliant. Donna
I love the color, but I wonder whether anyone there longs for other colors sometimes. 🙂
janet
I think they do – I would not want to live in a place with only one colour residing – even if I like it too. But not every house was blue, the city did not want to cooperate with the artist, so he had to negotiate with every house owner. A great job…
And have you ever been to the other blue places you mention, A C?
Unfortunately…in Morocco it is very much hidden away in the mountains and India is not my favorite country because of the heat. My husband went to Jodhpur though. Have you been?
OK….and no, I have not been to either…
Interesting to see so much blue in the northern hemisphere. My inclination is to think the light isn’t quite right for showing off all the blue shades to their best advantage. But then blue is supposed to be soothing, and the Maasai equate it with heaven.
Interesting, yes. Rainy days are definitely not the best for this colour, but days with sun it looks great. On the other hand, we often hear that Lofoten is not generally seen as a sunny resort. I guess the artist loved the colour blue and maybe connected it to heaven and the sea. Lofoten is a land of fishermen, and to them, it is all about blue!